A.CJ. 



v^c-c^' 



NOTES 



^,^,.^!^^^ 



MADE DURING AN EXCURSION TO THE 



HIGHLANDS OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE 



AND 



LAKE WINNIPISEOGEE. 



BY A GENTLEMAN OF BOSTON. 



L 



Come, give thy soul a loose, and taste 

The pleasures of vicissitude. Dryden. 



•\ 



^i 



ANDOVER: 

PRINTED BY FLAGG, GOULD, AND NEWMAN 

for sale by them, and by 

HILLIARD, GRAY,&CO. 

BOSTON. 

1833. 



.nIV* 



v\\ 



To Mrs. H. W. B. 



These notes having been exposed to the curiosity of 
an Editor of a distant Newspaper, extracts, I know not 
to what extent, were printed without the writer's knowl- 
edge. 

The remarks which remained on the loose, and near- 
ly worn out cards, are here transcribed for your amuse- 
ment. In one instance they have excited the curiosity 
of some of your friends to make an excursion to the re- 
gion of lakes and mountains ; but I understand they re- 
turned exceedingly disappointed. The Spartan soup 
that gave vigour to the Lacedemonians, was very dis- 
tasteful to the luxurious Asiatics ; so your fair friends 
not being prepared by a proper temperament, to feel the 
invigorating freshness of mountain air, returned to their 
sea coal fire, exhausted by the fatigue of the journey. 
Happily, however, for them, their nervous and dyspep- 
tical complaints were suspended from the hour they 
came in sight of Lake Winnipiseogee to the seventeenth 
day after they reached home ; thus giving them a taste 
of the pleasures of vicissitude. 

" Sometimes 'tis grateful for the rich to try 

A short vicissitude, and fit of poverty : 

A savory dish, a homely treat, 

Where all is plain, where all is neat, 

Without the stately spacious room. 

The Persian carpet, or the Tyrian loom, 

Clear up the cloudy foreheads of the great." Drydtn. 






7 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 



The Jews mast have been a happy people daring the 
forty years in which they were journeying through the 
desert ; for they were not encumbered with the care of 
houses and farms ; and though they were a money-getting 
and a money-savint; race from the time of their first mi- 
gration from Mesopotania ; through their long captivityo^ 
in Babylon, and ever since their dispersion, they had no 
temptation to accumulate what would but increase their 
burdens without gratifying their desires. The land of 
promise was before tliem ; to this all their movements 
were directed, and here all their hopes were concentrat- 
ed. Somewhat of the like feeling animates the man, who, 
determining to visit a certain quarter of the earth, on 
quitting the Egyptian hubbub of the city, leaves all his 
cares in the Red sea, or the River, and committing him- 
self to the Hobab of the stage coach, proceeds, almost un- 
conscious of the time, to the place of his destination. 

It requires no strong effort of the imagination to pic- 
ture scenes of beauty and magnificence ; with the con- 
ception of something enchantingly picturesque or sublime- 
Jy terrific in the unknown regions we are about to visit ; 
the impressions we have received from the written or ver- 
1* 



6 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

bal accounts of former travellers ; the sketches we have 
seen delineated by the pencil of the artist ; and the vivid 
descriptions of the poet all serve to divert our attention 
from intermediate objects ; and we pass over rugged roads, 
and even encounter perils without much observation. 

This propensity of the human mind to anticipate hap- 
piness, has afforded much speculation to philosophers, and 
much theologization to divines ; but its immediate influ- 
ence is in the common occurrencies of life, where we stop 
not to analyse and theorize, but to receive impressions ; 
and having exhausted curiosity, or blunted the edge of 
sensibility with common and daily objects, we eagerly 
catch at any thing that can revive or excite emotions. 

The same principle that urges the scholar to the ruins 
of antiquity ; Capt. Parry to the frozen ocean ; Bishop 
Heber to the burning and deadly climate of Calcutta ; the 
man of fashion to the court ; the lady to the rout; the 
citizen to the coffee house ; the politician to the news 
room ; the crowd to a conflagration ; the mob to a camp 
meeting or an insurrection caucus, drives some to Niag- 
ara and us to Winnipiseogee. 

We may however, be as much disappointed as was the 
amiable Mrs. Murphy, who, when transported from the sim- 
plicity of a rural life to the fashionable associations of the 
city, said to her husband, " I expected fiom what I had 
heard of the affectionate amiability of your female friends, 
to have been introduced to a very polished circle, accom- 
plished in manners ; elevated in principle ; social in in- 
tercourse, and open hearted." 

To Winnipiseogee, however, we go, and having chosen 
almost the only day that has escaped the superstitious de- 
nunciations of some civilized, classical, or savage nation, 
we set out under the most promising and propitious sky. 

A long sojourn in a private carriage appropriated to a 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 7 

select few, is of all dull modes of conveyance, the dullest, 
for this very reason, that all know each others sentiments ; 
and this may be the reason why so many married people 
appear so listless in each other's company. On the con- 
trary a stage coach is generally animated, at least after a 
social dinner has opened the mouths and removed the tim- 
idity and restraint of the company. 

It has often been my fate to be seated among some very 
pugnacious animals of a political party, and a more un- 
pleasant bearbating could not occur. Now the men were 
all gentlemen of intelligence on other subjects than the 
five points, and the pending election and the women unob- 
trusively kind ; and when we left them, we felt the loss 
of agreeable companions with whom we had broken the 
same bread of humanity, and drank of the same cup of 
kindness. 

" Now," vociferated a lad from the top of the carriage 
to a companion within, " we are on the summit of Tug 
hill," — a name which they had given to the eminence on 
which the Andover Theological Seminary is situated. 
Whether it derived that name from the labor of the ascent 
from the village below, or from the toil of their studies we 
did not learn. From this summit we had an extensive 
prospect of a rich and fertile territory, reaching to moun- 
tains on the west, over a space of 60 or 70 miles. A gen- 
tleman in the carriage assured us that he had clearly dis- 
tinguished the buildings of the Institution from the sum- 
mit of Wachusett. 

Much has been said, and much written about and 
against this Institution, and Amherst College. All litera- 
ry institutions have some peculiarities, vv-hich do not much 
affect the ultimate object of education. In general how- 
ever, it is but prudent that the friends of classical educa- 
tion, should miss no opportunity for strengthening the 



o EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

hands, whether sectarian or not, of those who would erect 
barriers against a fluctuating, if not a deluging sea of igno- 
rance and indifference. That all institutions must event- 
ually conform to the spirit of the age has been proved by 
experience. Catholic England, yielded to Protestantism. 
Harvard may become Calvinistic, or Amherst Unitarian ; 
but while they both improve the understandings of young 
men by unrestricted classical learning, they are among 
the most efficient means of elevating the moral feeling, 
and character of the people. Our liberal fruit grows 
from the puritanic stock, and this perhaps is the best for 
producing that which is durable and refined. 

This Institution is constantly furnishing the public 
with able preachers. I could name one, and he not the 
only one, who has the superlative art of blending ethical 
and theological subjects, so skilfully as to make deeper 
impressions than probably either would, separately treated. 
His labor is in ratiocination ; his relaxation in wit. From 
profound abstraction, he rises to a ready popular display 
of impressive moral truths. His style bears the impress 
of originality ; it may exhibit the thoughts of others; but 
it is with examples and illustrations furnished by observa- 
tion on life. Hence he has no paragraphs which look 
like accidental patches ; and though not new, every idea 
so perfectly belongs to the subject, as to make the whole 
consistent and novel. His style is likewise correct with- 
out being labored ; impressive without being pointed, and 
variegated without deviating from simplicity. A mind 
that strongly conceived, and furnished with a copious 
supply of words wanted not the embellishments of the 
rhetorician to arrest attention. It was impossible not to 
admire the expression, while we deeply felt the force and 
justness of the sentiments. When we read a Rambler, 
we are hurried on by the torrent of Johnson's eloquence, 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 9 

and afterwards wonder whence our mingled sensations of 
surprise and energy. We return to examine phrases, im- 
ages and splendid paragraphs, and conclude in admiring 
the art of a writer who could clothe common place thoughts 
in such a captivating dress. In ***** vve have the like 
strength of mind — that more profundity of thought, and 
an equal felicity of illustration, yet so simple, and perspic- 
uous that we select no extrinsic beauties to examine. — 
Striking peculiarities of language sometimes appear — al- 
ways racy — sometimes quaint — and often bold. 

A grand, magnificent, or strange production of nature, 
takes, it appears to me, a stronger hold on the memory, 
and is connected with more associations, than belong to 
such works of art. Is it because they have the chara.c- 
ter of permanency of age ? A Town that has sucji a 
land mark is sure to be remembered. Amid a thousand' 
trees, the great elm in the centre of this village is distin- 
guishable. An attempt to remove this Tree was success- 
fully resisted by the neighbors, the lovers of the picturesque 
and the useful. We were shown a copy of some verses 
made on this subject, which, though destitute of all poet- 
ic merit, we thought worthy of being preserved, as a me- 
morial of a patriotic and philanthropic spirit. — See Ap- 
pendix A. 

How many of the little incidents of social intercourse, 
indifferent at first, afford agreeable sensations on recollec- 
tion. In passing yonder low roofed cottage, seeming to 
the traveller never to have been the abode of gay amuse- 
ment, many past pleasures, of which it was the scene, 
rise vividly to view. There, once associated a few sum- 
mer boarders, who, for the sake of health had come from 
the sea-ports to breath the invigorating air of this salubri- 
ous region ; not unfrequently seeking inspiration in the 
cool and shady scenery of yonder eminence which they 



10 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

named Mount Carmel. They soon drew around them 
some of tlie literati of the vicinity. A little society was 
thus formed, which by conversation curtailed the hours 
of sleep. Among them was a gentleman, remarkable for 
sudden bursts of rare and original observations. There 
were in his manners and his remarks something irresista- 
bly engaging. Society mellowed his wit; and when 
the thoughts of others seemed to be exhausted, he would 
strike a vein, and produce a flow of animation. Then it 
was that his flashes, like a morning sun, aroused every 
person, however much disposed to retire. He however 
could not avoid, nor always parry the jokes of the young 
ladies ; and once he was the subject of a Jeu d^esprit 
which, if we remember right ran thus : 

'Twas a beautiful day, and the beauty was brighter, 
That care on our bosoms grew lighter and lighter, 
As friends sitting round us, repeated with pleasure, 
" How sweet is this meeting of friendship and leisure "," 
Not a cloud in tiie sky, nor a curl on the brow, 
A repose stole upon us, we could not tell how ! 
Nor should we have broken this feeling of heaven, 
Had the tongue of the clock not reported, " eleven," 
When the 'Squire starting up at his client's loud call, 
" From paradise," cried, " thus was old Adam's fall, 
Yet, though care approaches, and though the sky lowers, 
In sun-shine, we ravish'd a bliss of three hours, 
And may I to Jericho, rudely bo carted. 
If next when we meet thus, with ease we'll be parted." — 
To Jericho ! wherefore — cries 'Lis, with a smile — 
" But you need not remain there a wonderful while — 
And should you go thither, I trust you will ride, 
, For you walk it so slowly, you'll lose the whole tide !" 

The 'Squire was struck dumb by the sly little wit, 
And in private, confessed 'twas a palpable hit, 
For now, to his sorrow, so long had he tarried, 
The Church might be closed ere he went to be married ! 

Noon brought us to Haverhill on the north bank of the 
Merrimack, a town no less beautiful from its natural sit- 
uation, than from the aspect of its buildings. Its antiqui- 
ties and history afford some tragical, and many romantic 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 11 

incidents for the embellishment of future novels, and the 
catastrophies of future dramatic compositions. The sack 
of the town by the Indians and French in 1708 ; the 
heroic conduct of Mrs, Dustan ; the sagacity and address 
of Hagar the slave, in secreting the two infants, and ma- 
ny other events which are yet fresh in tradition, narrated 
with truth, and embellished with the colours of an imagi- 
nation that could remigrate a century and a half, would 
be as interesting as it would be novel. 

I dislike historical romances even from the pen of Flo- 
rian, because they confound history. But those whose 
bodies are real, and where dress only is fanciful, like the 
historical plays of Shakspeare, personify the age, assist 
our conceptions of character and actions, and bring the 
very fashions and pressure of the times home to our bo- 
soms. 

After dining at the hotel, we stopped the stage on the 
Exeter road, to receive Mr. W. who was to conduct us to 
the White Hills, but not being ready, he promised to join 
us to-morrow. 

While the horses stopped to bait, after we left ***, cu- 
riosity prompted me to look at the unwashed cheeks of 
Mrs. ****. Thirty seven years had elapsed since a beau- 
tiful girl of 15 sat on the knee of Washington at *****. 
A kiss of Washington could not leave a spot on the char- 
riest maiden's cheek, and if it had, it would always be 
considered a beauty spot, which no fair one would erase. 
As Washington passed to New Hampshire, he was con- 
ducted through this rout, to be present at the wedding of 
his secretary Mr. Lear. 

People of each sex, and all ages flocked from every 
part of the country to see him. Two beautiful girls went 
on the day previous, to their relative's where he was to 
lodge, in order to see the reputed father of his Country. 



12 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

After the evening levee was ended, they were introduced, 
with reference, by their jolly relation, to the visit of the 
queen of a far distant Country to see the glory of Israel. 
Their, modest, gentle, and affectionate carriage exceed- 
ingly gratified the General, and engaged his attention. 
Nothing tends more to social intercourse, than the perfor- 
mance of some little favour. One of Washington's gloves 
had a rip — one of the girls, without speaking, took it up, 
opened her thread case, repaired it, and silently put it on 
the sofa. Washington observed the act, and instead of 
complimenting, took her hand, and drew her towards him, 
and impressed a kiss on her cheek. All this was a move- 
ment of the heart, on the part of both. She declared 
she would never wash that spot ; and T could not 
help thinking, as I looked upon her, that the rosy 
blush had not been impaired by time, and that like the 
immortal amaranth it retained its freshness and beauty, 
fed by the '' sweet contentment of her thoughts!" 

I must here relate another instance which came with- 
in my knowledge of the feelings of Washington towards 
his friends, because more of the heart is seen in these lit- 
tle remembrances, than in a whole life of public transac- 
tions. Thomas Austin was his steward while the head 
quarters of the army were at Cambridge. Mrs. Austin 
superintended the household. Many years had elapsed 
and she was advanced in years and infirm. Probably he 
never expected to see her again. Old as she was, howev- 
er, she determined to see him ; and on the morning of 
his departure from Boston, was conveyed to town and 
seated at a window in Union street to see him pass. The 
cavalcade approached ; she was all eagerness, and fixed 
her eyes intently on the carriage containing several per- 
sons, one of whom she supposed to be the man she long- 
ed to behold ; but neither of them noticed her, nor did 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 13 

she see any resemblance of Washington : time and fa- 
tigue must have changed his appearance or she must be 
forgoCten. On a sudden the procession made a momen- 
tary halt ; what was the matter ? — Washington had caught 
a view of her face ; he checked his horse, moved his head, 
waved his hand, repeated the movements ; she turned not 
her gaze from the carriage, and he was obliged to proceed 
without being recognized. When the good lady was in- 
formed of all this, she almost fainted, and looked as though 
she would say, " now let me depart, for he remembers 
me." 

We tarried a little while in *****^ formerly the second 
town in New Hampshire. Though it shows the marks 
of age, it has not many relics of ancient times. Former- 
ly the people of***** were noticed for their extreme di- 
vision into classes; there was -an aristocracy separate 
from the plebeian. In all small places, where the proper- 
ty is in the possession of the few, those few will soon be 
employed by the rest to conduct the public affairs of the 
community ; and a long continuance in the magistracy, 
attended with the deference usually paid to authority, su- 
perinduces a feeling of superiority ; increasing till it 
swells into a kind of hereditary claim ; and every new 
aspirant is viewed as an interloper. This classification 
continued to the end of the revolution. A few struggled 
to preserve it long after, but to a new order of things old 
prejudices were obliged to submit. The age of buckram, 
of hoop-petticoats, of scarlet cloaks, bush wigs, slashed 
sleeves, silver buckles and tight breeches, must yield to 
the more easy and convenient forms of modern dress. 
Bladam comes into church metamorphosed into a plain 
matron, and Sir is revolutionized into pantaloons, a round 
hat, and shoe strings. The congregation no longer wait 
at the door for the Squire's, the General's and the Cor- 
2 



14 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

poral's family to enter or depart the church ; and even 
the minister has ceased to strew flowers over the illustri- 
ous dead where none grew before. 

Hence this country shows at present no class of singu- 
lar old men, retaining with ancient garments, ancient 
manners. Broad caricatures may be given to regularity, 
but broad comedy can draw but few supplies from odd 
and singular characters ; these are furnished by older 
countries : these belong to the old age of nations whose 
every condition of life is stationary ; and manners grow 
up with the peculiarities of the soil. Hence our novelists, 
who profess to paint the manners as they are, have re- 
course to other nations, and other times, for broad and 
singular characters ; not perhaps recollecting, that as so- 
ciety refines, though the same nature pervades the age 
under different shapes and modifications, the colours giv- 
en to the one will not represent the other ; in fact, that it 
requires a very comprehensive knowledge of human socie- 
ty under its various modifications, to trace the operations 
of the passions, and detect the same character under dif- 
ferent circumstances. He will be little respected as the 
painter of the times, though he employ the wit of Swift, 
who shall place to this age a grave procession of Templars, 
marching in solemn order, with all the paraphernalia of 
clouts and banners, to lay the foundation stone of a pub- 
lic edifice ; because, every one at once perceives, that it 
is out of character with the age. An age as remarkable 
for the exercise of a discriminating judgment ; a taste 
critically correct in manners ; and an exquisite sensibili- 
ty of moral propriety ; as for its lofty assumption of that 
grave dignity of character which elevates above the child- 
ish adherence to those solemn triflings, which enchanted 
the barbarous and superstitious inheritors of the feudal 
spectacles which the aristocracy of Europe used as the 



EXCURSIO TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 15 

means of diverting their vassals from the exercise of that 
common sense, by which the American people commenc- 
ed their career of free inquiry, and by which they have 
established a national character peculiarly original. He 
might as well pretend, that Washington danced on the 
slack rope for the entertainment of the rabble, as that 
grave judges, learned lawyers, pious ministers, skilful 
physicians, alert chimney sweeps, dignified barbers, and 
the whole fraternity of masons, entered and performed in 
the puppet show, in an enlightened age, and this, not in 
the doubled locked recess of a tavern, but in open day, and 
amid thousands of spectators. In fact, every age, like ev- 
ery shrub, has discriminating characteristics. The pu- 
pils of Linnasus so skilfully arranged the dissimilar parts 
of different plants, as to form one whose juncture could 
not be discerned by the unpractised eye, but the natural- 
ist at once detected incongruities that could not exist in 
nature. Yet, whoever attempts to contrast the manners 
of the former with the present times may find in **** 
some fine relics of the formal and dio-nified demeanour : 
the set, mathematically adjusted bow and courtesy ; the 
measured step, the polite oblique turn of the body, the 
complimentary address, and the high disdainful toss of 
the head, among the men and women of the old school. 
But even these will not afford a full picture of the olden 
time, for diluted by modern mixtures, the colours are not 
strong enough to tinge the whole ground. In other times, 
(and had this country been acquired by conquest,) these 
would have been the magnates, the Dukes, the Barons, 
the Lairds whose territories would have stretched from 
Portsmouth to Boston, from Boston to Wachusett, and 
from Wachusett to the White Hills. The few owners of 
the soil, would have transmitted their power to govern 
and dispose of the many born to serve ; and, what is 



16 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

more, would have assumed all the genius and talent 
which prodigal nature now sifts over the very serfs with 
which she has filled the country. 

At sun set we arrived at D*** where my friends en- 
cumbered me with civilities. In the evening I was told 
that Capt. Porter was on that station, engaged in making 
daily excursions in his steam boat ; and that a company 
of the villagers were to make a cruise with him tomor- 
row, and that I was to be of the party. In vain did T 
plead indisposition, engagement, and disinclination. I was 
promised to be landed at the bridge at Portsmouth, or 
any where T chose, but go on board we must, or lie and 
she and she and he would not go. Besides, Squire S., one 
of the heads of the town, and even his lady, the minister, 
the doctor, and half the selectmen, were going— nay the 
S. had sent his commands that the boat should not pro- 
ceed otherwise — there was no resisting {he. orders of the 
respectable , united to the solicitations of the gay and 
amiable — so on board we went at 10 o'clock, but the tide 
did not float the vessel till 12. 

Such delays produce a temporary sadness, and never 
fail to be announced by some superstitious persons as 
ominous. It is certainly annoying, as there is no com- 
munion of spirit till the vessel is under way ; as in our 
Boston governmental excursions in the harbour, there is 
no punch till Fort Independence is passed, however long 
may be the voyage thither. Capt. Porter promised to re- 
compense his delay with a dinner of fresh fish and chow- 
der at 4 o'clock, and till then we were to amuse ourselves 
as well as we could. 

The company consisted of several entire families; some 
single women ; the Doctor, the methodist minister and his 
wife, amounting to about 60 persons, accompanied by a 
drummer and fifer, and several loungers and attendants. 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 17 

Luckily we had no wits aboard to bespatter the cloth of 
the clergyman ; and no cockney to strut about with his 
cigar and cane ; on the contrary, all were rational and or- 
derly people, determined " to please and be pleased." 

The first thing requisite is to lose no opportunity in 
making one's self useful : the next is to discover by the 
countenance and manner of strangers, whether a wish is 
indicated for further acquaintance. 

When you have once got an opening, you may 
take the high road to conversation. The minister soon 
gave these indications. There was nothing obtrusive, 
and the liberality of tlie judge, his lady, and fam- 
ily, to whom all due deference was paid, made the 
conversation lively and pleasant. The day was fine, 
and the variety of the scenery on both banks of the 
river was animating. The whole had a character of ab- 
solute beauty, and without being broken or mountainous 
it was extremely picturesque. What made it more lively 
and interesting, were the living forms of men, women, 
and children, singly, and in groups, running down the 
hills, emerging from the copses and clumps, leaping over 
rocks and ditches; some popping their heads out from 
tangles and bushes, and others running along the margin 
to get a sight of the first steam argonaut that ever navi- 
gated Piscatuqua river. Jason himself could not have ex- 
cited more wonderment : and the author of the Argo- 
nautics might have drawn embellishments from the sur- 
rounding scene. 

We passed Portsmouth, and approached the Isle of 
Shoals, when the wind shifted to the east, and blew so 
strong and cold as to make it necessary to put about. In 
the mean time a boat came along side, with a fine fare of 
those delicious fish for which this coast is celebrated. 
2* 



18 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

Leaving the boat where the fish were to be cooked, we 
landed and were conducted by the officer on duty round 
and through the fort. Getting under way again we re- 
passed Portsmouth. The tables were now arranged, on 
which were soon displayed a variety of cold meats, and a 
number of tureens of hot chowder, served up in excellent 
style. After the repast, it became too cold to remain 
long on deck, and the whole company retired to the cab- 
in ; not to sleep, nor to play at drafts, or tee-to-tum, nor 
to discuss political, or religious propositions — no, these 
are subjects for the pleasure parties at Boston — What did 
we do ? Why we sung psalms — that is, the minister and 
his wife, with Hannah, Susan and Eben S. did, what few 
persons would have ventured to do ; and the selection 
was liberal enough for any Unitarian whatever. 

This was as well, if not better, than the customary har- 
monious entertainments, on board the annual packets of 
the municipality of our cities, where three or four heredi- 
tary singers were always invited to entertain the company 
with the same identical ditties that have been in use on 
these occasions, ever since the jolly days of Capt. Kidd. 
But since the economical reign of new councils, these 
feats have been discontinued ; and on the several religious 
societies has devolved the task of makincj annual visita- 
tions to the great deep in a more edifying style. 

There were two bridges to pass; night was now ap- 
proaching, and the last bridge was three miles ahead. 
The remaining light barely served to enable the pilot to 
avoid the perilous posts of the draw ; just beyond which 
the vessel struck on a sandbank. All was dismay. Fifty 
or sixty persons to sleep on board a small vessel, the min- 
ister absent from lecture, the doctor detained from his pa- 
tients, the squire who had not been abroad, or out of his 



" EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 19 

bed at dark for some time; all — all to be kept from home till 
4 o'clock in the mornincr — horrible. In the mean time 
some comfort was diffused among the passengers, by the 
rumour that the good Squire was fast asleep in the cabin, 
while his heroic lady was coolly assisting on deck. The 
pilot and crew kept at work in the water, and after an 
hour's labour, worked the vessel into the channel, and at 
length reached a pier about two miles from the town. Sus- 
picious of our disaster, horses and carriages were dis- 
patched from our friends, to convey us home ; but they 
had halted and lay intrenched behind a hill and a wood, 
so that after landing we had to wind our way through a 
wet marsh, and a dense wood, covered with dew and 
clothed with darkness. One gentleman and two ladies, 
in compassion to a stranger, took me in tow, and just as 
I was on the point of giving out, we heard footsteps be- 
hind. A caravan soon approached, each horse having 
two guides, and each carriage containing three, or four, 
and some, five persons. In one of which I was accommo- 
dated with three other persons, and arrived merrily at our 
lodgings. 

The two friends who had promised to be of our party, 
had been in waiting several hours, and we all adjourned 
to the house of our friend, where a very social circle was 
formed. Among the guests, were two members of the 
New Hampshire Bar, who had left the Court at ***** to 
accomplish this visit. They amused us with the recital 
of some of the many oddities, and peculiarities, of a coun- 
try session. E. was peculiarly gay, fluent, and excursive ; 
he delineated character with the accuracy of an engineer ; 
described men and manners with the perspicuity of a Lo- 
gician, and embellished his narratives with the ingenuity 
and splendors of a poet. He is one of those men whom 
Godwin would admit to be a man of genius because, in 



^^ EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. . 

walking the street, without seeming to observe, he notices 
more than common men who profess to see every thing. 

The conversation happening to turn on the practice of 
the law, one of the company remarked, that in the capi- 
tal of Massachusetts, strange notions were entertained of' 
New Hampshire lawyers : that they had the character of 
being more expert in detecting flaws, and glossing facts ; 
of puzzling judges, and confounding jurors, than the law- 
yers of Massachusetts, who prided themselves in going 
strait forward, without ever attempting to evade evidence, 
or pervert law. "You compliment us on our superior ad- 
dress," said the other, " for which you are entitled to our 
gratitude, for while you admit, that we show a wonderful 
expertness in making the plain intricate, you admit that 
we make the intricate plain. But the true reason why 
the New Hampshire lawyers have this appearance of 
sophistry, for it is appearance only, and does not, I con- 
ceive essentially implicate the character of the bar, is, 
that the very nature of their business, requires a very dif- 
ferent mode of proceeding, from that of Massachusetts. 
In Massachusetts the practice of the law grows out of the 
knowledge of a methodical science, taught in books, and 
commented on, and settled by a permanent judiciary. In 
New Hampshire, as in every new state, both the judi- 
ciary and the law, are comparatively, temporary and 
loose. The principle is to be found in the people them- 
selves, and derived from the peculiar circumstances of 
real property. Land-jobbing was formerly an extensive 
business : and from it, investment has followed invest- 
ment, so that to arrive at a just title to a piece of land, it 
became necessary to institute suit after suit, for as soon as 
one claim was set aside, another would come in, and so 
on, till more money had been spent before a final settle- 
ment was made, than would purchase twenty such estates. 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 21 

Now the man whose title was good, must, in order to re- 
gain his property, dispossess all that went before, who, in 
their turn, not only defended their spurious titles, but 
when ousted, instituted suits to recover damages. In ad- 
dition to this, a class of men characteristically named by 
your discriminating editors. Squatters, had inserted them- 
selves into every bosom of the wilderness, and claimed a 
right of possession ; and these were to be removed by a le- 
gal process. Another class likewise, were the cause of 
much litigation, I mean that of Poachers, not on game, 
but on the most valuable timber of the forests. Thus a 
very great proportion of the people of the state became 
familiar with courts of law, and, unhappily, with its de- 
lays and the legal means of protraction. Nor was this 
confined to real property. For the debtor, learning how 
to protract payment, began to consider the costs of a law- 
suit as nothing more tlu n a commission or interest for 
the use of the property v.liich he withheld from his credi- 
tors. Hence a dereliction of every practicable moral prin- 
ciple. Clients of this description require the utmost sa- 
gacity in the counsel, and expect that defence be with 
weapons similar to, and even sharper than those with 
which the attack is made. Hence lawyers acquire acu- 
men from exercise. Hence you find at our bar, discrimi- 
nating talents, that would do honour to Scotus himself. 
In fact, in this contest of- intellect, I see little difference 
in the exercise of the reasoning powers, only in the sub- 
ject matter, between the subtilties of the school-men and 
those of the bar-men. Both are pushed to their utmost 
strength ; and while one is at variance with the liberal 
logic of modern metaphysics, the other is equally so with 
the common sense and straight forward practice of other 
courts. 

But the spirit of the people must always control, and 



22 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

lawyers are but the organs of public opinion. New Hamp- 
shire lawyers are thus disciplined in a dialectical rather 
than in a rhetorical school ; yet you will allow, that from 
this school have, and still issue, many of the most eloquent 
pleaders, and powerful statesmen that ever adorned the 
annals of our country. — It may be that we are less atten- 
tive to oratory, or elegance of language than are those who 
have to address a more polished audience. We aim at 
the language of business ; and for this purpose have oc- 
casion for no other than our vernacular Anojlo-Saxon dia- 
lect ; our phrases are therefore familiar to the most illiter- 
ate understanding. It would be ridiculous to adopt the 
periodical style of Cicero, which we were compelled to 
study at College ; or according to Shaftsbury's rule re- 
strict the use of monosyllables to nine in a sentence ; or 
to speak uniformly in Johnsonian triplets. This idiomat- 
ic language was sufficient for Addison and Swift, and such 
we derive from our common education. 

" So says Sir James,* — and so we tIiou|flit before ; 

His commendation makes us love it more. — 

So our own Orator, who learned, when young, 

To use with force his native mother tongue, 

The country's currency, and undobased, * 

\A'ith foreign mixture, or the pride of taste. 

His Salisbury teachers viewed with ridicule, 

The splendid pomp of fashion's heartless school : 

With truth severe, they knew the graceful-art. 

Through reason's key to touch the social heart, 

He with home-strokes, was never known to fail. 

Firm to the mast, the union-flag to nail — 

In observation curious, speech congise, 

His words arrest us, and his thoughts surprise; 

Be it a flash, it leaves a spark behind. 

That kindles, and illuminates mankind." 

D. has an excellent soil, but the inhabitants of the vil- 
lage blend the occupation of the farmer with that of the 
trader, and thus bestow little attention to as^ricultural im- 
provement. 

* Sir J. Mackintosh. 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 23 

Formerly ship building, and the fishery employed many 
hands; both of these occupations have almost ceased. 
The communication with the Isle of Shoals was so easy, 
that a very considerable part of the fish cured there, was 
exported from this place. But the Isle of Shoals, which 
was once the sixth on the tax book of Massachusetts is 
now comparatively poor. In this country there is no 
knowinof when barrenness will end. The hundreds of 
manufacturing establishments that have sprung up within 
a few years in the most neglected wastes, lead us to 
think the fishery of the Isle of Shoals will again be the 
contributor of subsistence for the people of manufactur- 
ing establishments. 

The old people manifest a great affection for their 
townsman, one of the most popular and patriotic Gener- 
als of the revolutionary army. They say, and they say 
truly, that nothing short of absolute necessity, could have 
swayed the General to violate his well known principles 
of humanity, in destroying the Indian orchards; and 
they attribute it to the imperious circumstances of the 
case, or the most positive orders of the government. The 
lines of a newspaper poem, on this subject, say 

" No, 'tis not the savage, but the civilized man, 
The subject of culture, improvement, and plan, 
Who, what takes an age of forbearance to rear, 
Destroys in a moment of caprice or fear. 
O! Pro[)het of Israel ! 'twas truly divine, 
To guard from destruction the nest and the vine ; 
And false was the maxim, and foul was the deed. 
The orchard to foil, lest the savage should feed. 
The fields that are cultured and worth our enjoying, 
Deter us from wars at the risk of destroying — 
The way to make savage hostility cease. 
Is to give him a country that's worthy of peace. 
But when all his comforts are hung on his back. 
You feel when he strikes, but you know not his track ; 
His couch is the mountain, his course is the river. 
In thunder he moves, and in lightning he shivers." 



24 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 



At this rate we shall never get on to Winnipiseogee. 
Were I a Statist, or curious in political economy, I might 
have some excuse for this delay : even were I a man of 
letters, my desultory remarks and slow progress might be 
excusable. But I think not what I shall write, but write 
what I think. I came from the city expecting to find the 
residence of health in the Switzerland of New England. 
She met me on the road, and informed me that she was a 
Ubiquitary. Hence we may conclude that Abernethy's 
blue-pills dig in vain for her in the cavities of the stom- 
ach. " The seat of health," says Abernethy, " is the 
stomach ; and the legion of disease must be driven out 
by the blue-pill." Yet the blue-pill, does not remove idle- 
ness, which Jeremy Taylor discovered to be the Devil's 
pillow; nor prevent gluttony and repletion, the great en- 
genderers of disease ; and therefore does not reach the 
cause. But, with Bacon, he assigns another and sounder 
reason, and makes mental exercise as necessary to health 
and longevity, as bodily exercise. Bacon declares that 
nature forces upon us the pleasures of existence, of which 
we may be insensible at the very time we enjoy them. 
She provides for the future, both pleasures and pains; 
and it should be the main business of a wise man's life, 
to gather the one and avoid the other : to gather the food 
of health and keep the moral faculties pure and free from 
every particle of irritation, so that the soul may always 
be supreme ; surveying with satisfaction her own stores, 
and gratifying imagination with multiplying pictures &c. 
But Bacon was a poet, for, " he accommodates the show 
of things to the desires of men's minds." Yet he was a 
philosopher of genius, and condenses poetry in an apho- 
rism ; and thus provides for every disease of the body, and 
every defect of the mind. But Bacon, says a learned re- 
viewer, " left no system to Ipe studied as a guide." Yet 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 25 

Bacon raised the scaffolding, by means of which all mod- 
ern science is built. "And Bacon," says a moralist, "was 
a time-server, and therefore not to be trusted as a guide 
to truth." Still he was a philosopher, and what is better, 
a philosopher unshackled by theory. Bacon's feet were 
in the bird lime of the age ; his head was in the sky, 
and his wings expanded over the earth. The spirit of 
the age always has some hold on the genius that is capa- 
ble of soaring above and beyond it. 

To return to health. There is an artificial cure for ev- 
ery disease that is fashionable. Just now, Liverwort is 
in high repute. A few years ago album grecum was in 
great request. 'Tis only about twenty years since the te- 
pid bath was introduced. We grow wise by experience. 
Physicians formerly held the cold bath to be bracing, and 
the warm bath debilitating. Since Count Rumford 
wrote, the warm bath is found to be bracing, notwith- 
standing it has been assigned as the primary cause of the 
corruption of the luxurious Asiatics ; and the remote cause 
of the downfall of the Roman empire. 

When I met health on the road, I understood that she 
prescribed no other regime than regular, sound, and easy 
sleep of six hours in twenty four, and to obtain this, re- 
quired the exercise of all the faculties of the body, and a 
perfect freedom of the mind from every perturbation. 
With this assurance we took our departure, from the vil- 
lage where we had rested. 

We expected convoy, but our friends could not leave 
the causes of their clients, and instead of accompanying 
us, returned to *"** . We had letters of introduction to 
several gentlemen whose seats were to be passed, but we 
did not use any of them. It may seem churlish to spurn 
.h6spitality ; but excess of civility is often inconvenient. 
No people in the world are more sincere, not only in giv- 

3 



26 ' EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

ing a welcome to visitors, but in loading them with atten- 
tions. Those who have been accustomed to French so- 
ciety, seem to have acquired a distaste for that of every 
other country. *' In France, or on the continent," says 
an elegant observer, " society is one of the greatest luxu- 
ries ; it is in fact an- interchange of polite vanity ; and as 
it is itself so great an enjoyment, it constitutes a principal 
object." This is meant to apply to the higher kind of so- 
ciety, but even among the peasantry the same spirit pre- 
vails. 

" They please, are pleased, they give to get esteem. 
Till seeming blessed, they grow to what they seem." 

*' In England," says the same English observer, " com- 
fort, the boast of an Englishman's language and life, con- 
sists in homCy and a consciousness that he is not obliged 
to entertain any body, but gratify his pride, and his hos- 
pitality by giving a dinner or a supper." 

In this country, neither the polite servility or vanity of 
the French, nor the pride and reserve of the English, is 
to be found. A genuine, sincere, frank, and almost offen- 
sive earnestness prevails. And he that feels and appre- 
ciates not the goodness of heart that exists under this ob- 
trusive exterior, had better remain at home. It will be 
long before we reach the true point of perfection which 
old Homer has so well expressed, as constituting the fine 
rule of intercourse. 

" Alike he thwarts the hospitable end, 
Who drives the free, or stays the hasty friend ; 
True friendship's laws, are by this rule expressed, 
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest." 

One class of travellers appear to be much disappointed 
in not meeting with what they are pleased to call, a nat- 
ural state of society. By which they mean a kind of 
Arcadian simplicity, such as poets and novelists have de- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 27 

picted in a golden age. Such States, if even they had a 
real existence, cannot now be found in Europe ; and if 
ihey could be found, how much would the charms of poet- 
ry, and the animation of romance, be diminished by the 
reality 1 How narrowed would be the field which now af- 
fords such excursive ranges to the imagination ? All ac- 
knowledge and feel, that fiction can transplant us from the 
cares of life, to something freer, and better, and holier 
than the present affords. All know that passion is con- 
trolled by the magic of numbers ; that sorrow is solaced, 
and satiety relieved, by the variety of well told adventures ; 
that the soul is exalted by delineations of noble thought 
and lofty bearing ; and the moral sense is awakened and 
harmonized into a benevolence more honourable to hu- 
manity than is recognized in the ordinary occurrenciesof 
life ; but most forget, that these effects belong less to a 
state of nature, than a state of refinement. It is vain for 
them therefore to turn to a new country for a society im- 
corrupted by the arts and refinements of civilized life. 

Here are no pastoral occupants ; no shepherds watching 
their flocks, while stretched beneath the spreading oak ; 
no swains piping to their loves beside a warbling brook ; 
no rural fetes, innocent merriments, rustic sports, harm- 
less superstitions, traditionary talcs that lull the villagers 
asleep, nor any of that naivete which excites laughter, and 
characterizes the Doric peasantry. They forget likewise 
that such scenes are best sought among an old stationary 
people, and not with a people on the march, whose home 
hours are full of business, and who are yet on the borders 
of that promised land to which the whole society is tend- 
ing. 

On a good road, through a hilly country, we advanced 
towards the mountainous region. Wild and picturesque 
views were perpetually rising into notice. Before night 



28 _ EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

- we arrived at Guilford and took lodgings at Bado-er's hotel. 
Guilford is united to Meredith by a bridge thrown across 
the river that issues from the great lake. The two villa- 
ges seem to form one town, both equally pretty and thriv- 
ing. Guilford being the shire town where the County- 
courts are held ; and Meredith possesses some manufac- 
tories. The streets are broad ; the houses well built and 
uniformly painted, making a beautiful show as you de- 
scend from the hills. This beauty is blemished by the 
neglect which is apparent on approaching the two public 
buildings, the Court house and the Church. These are in 
good style of architecture, but are decaying for want of a 
coat of paint. We felt indignant at this deficiency of pub- 
lic spirit, in a place that displayed so much private afflu- 
ence and taste ; and as two beautiful ladies passed over 
the steps on which we stood, we requested them to at- 
tempt a removal of this shameful negligence, by using 
their well known influence to induce the gentlemen to be 
at a small expense, for the honor of the town. The la- 
dies were instantaneous in the business, and in twenty 
minutes some gentlemen came up and thanked us for our 
remarks, saying, the notice of strangers would have more 
influence upon the inhabitants, than any thing they could 
say ; that a subscription for the purpose had been made, 
but was yet inadequate ; and that the neglect was not ow- 
ing to any want of public spirit, but to the jealousy that 
existed between the County and Town party, with respect 
to the County location. 

The afternoon, though rainy, did not prevent the sports- 
men from practising their favourite art of angling. Lines 
and rods were obtained, and a mess of excellent trout, 
with several large pickerel, and several other kinds of fish 
came in before night. It is well for the fish that they 
never navigate in the water near Boston. Winnipiseogee 



EXCURSION TO WlNNlPlSEOGEE. 29 

is too remote. Our sportsmen who sit under a burning 
sun four or five hours to capture a few breams at Ponta- 
pog, or sojourn in the swamps of Sandwich, for the sake of a 
few trout ; or stand on one of the bridges in heat or cold, 
in sunshine or snow ; watching and sometimes taking, 
bass, smelts, and flounders, would soon depopulate both 
the riv^ and the lake. For variety of fish, and diversity 
of water, few sites can equal that of Guilford and Mere- 
dith. You may go on the lake in a boat with sails or 
oars ; and drop your lead in deep water ; and you may 
stand on the bridge or on the bank, or by walking half a 
mile, walk on the border of cold streams with a fly bait, 
and a trailing line, and be sure of filling your basket in a 
short time. Tiie towns likewise furnish good accommo- 
dations, so that those who are fond of this exercise, might 
here enjoy it through the year ; besides, might find socie- 
ty that is intelligent and agreeable, in the intervals. 

Through the whole of this route, the land is remarkably 
fruitful ; and while Massachusetts is almost destitute of 
apples. New Hampshire enjoys an abundance. 

On the 25th we left Meredith, after visiting the very 
thriving manufacturing establishments of Mr. A. There 
is no joint stock company with its multitude of agencies, 
in and abroad. 'Tis but a few years, since the owner 
and conductor of this establishment was a small trader. 
He began with a few spindles; enlarged with great care 
his own house ; built a convenient store ; kept extending 
from time to time ; and in thirteen years was master and 
owner of a very respectable manufactory, conducted under 
the management of himself and his sons, who at this time 
are preparing to erect another and a larger house. 

I suppose it may be explained, for philosophy attempts 
to explain every phenomenon ; but I have never met with 
any notice of the singular appearance on the surface of 
3* 



30 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

the earth, when viewed from the window of a running ve- 
hicle. There appears a stratum unconnected, but pas- 
sing rapidly over the surface in a contrary direction, to 
that of the carriage, while the earth beneath is stationary. 
Whether the like separation appears while we pass on the 
water and the trees seem to move I cannot say. Has it 
any affinity with the mirage by which we seem to be close 
on Ontario, when many miles distant ? 

The road hence to the Lake, about thirteen miles, is 
extremely hilly. The variety of the scenery, hill, water, 
mountain, and valley, so completely engaged my atten- 
tion, that I was not aware of any danger, till our horses 
made a sudden halt at the foot of a precipice. We were 
immediately congratulated by some countrymen, on our 
escape from such imminent danger. Our driver to oblige 
a friend, had attached two horses to his team of four, and 
in descending the last long and steep hill, lost all power 
of checking or directing their course. So rapid was their 
flight, a man driving a light wagon over a short bridge, 
seeing our carriage descending, stood motionless with af- 
fright, and we passed him with the rapidity of lightning, 
within an inch or two, of his wheels, while our off wheels 
left their traces just within the verge of the plank of 
the bridge. In Connecticut, before descending such 
mountainous roads, the wheels are locked ; yet these hills, 
steep and tremendous as they are, are hourly passed by 
men and women in a chaise and one horse, on a steady 
trot ; so sure footed are the beasts that are bred among the 
mountains. 

The great Lake at length came in view ; and descend- 
ing the southern hill, we entered the village of Senter 
Harbour, situate on a cove at the extremity of the 
Lake. 

A Mr. Senter was the first settler on this spot ; and 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 31 

when the petition for an act of incorporation was present" 
ed to the Legislature, it was proposed that it should bear 
his name. Whether the Legislature supposed this place 
to be the centre of the world ; or whether the learned 
clerk, who drew the bill, supposed the petitioner igno- 
rant of orthography, is unknown ; but certain it is, that 
Mr. S. was deprived of that distinction and chance for 
immortality, which he deserved for his enterprising spirit 
and perseverance ; for at that time a settlement in this, 
then wilderness, was a bold and hazardous undertakinof. 

The stage stopped at the tavern ; a. house not very in- 
viting either by its exteriour, or its community. We 
were enjoined to put up at Senter's hotel ; and when we 
inquired for the place were very reluctantly told, that, 
Senter's house was on the other quarter. To another 
quarter we went, and soon found a new and well appoint- 
ed house. 

The landlord ushered us into a very commodious apart- 
ment, and learning that we intended sojourning with 
him a few days, directed a servant to give us the choice 
of any bed rooms that were unoccupied. 

We have known men of the highest talents, and em- 
inent pleaders, totally fail, and disappoint high-raised 
expectation, when transferred from their own Bar, to a 
Legislative assembly. Even the bold and impetuous G. 
H. who overrules a club or a caucus, by his rattling and 
audacious eloquence, becomes a perfect mute under the 
parliamentary order that prevails in a city council. So 
women, who at home appear to possess all the estimable 
qualities that are required to conduct a domestic estab- 
lishment with the utmost elegance and grace, seem to 
loose all their self possession, ease of manner, and inde- 
pendence of thought, when introduced to the polished 
circles of fashionable cities. 



32 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

We were told by some of our city female friends, that 
we should meet with fair damsels who would amuse us, 
if not provoke our ridicule, by their awkward attempts to 
appear elegant in manners, and sentimental in conversa- 
tion. That they would sing " Moore, spout Byron, and 
quote Scott." But these our friends had not seen these 
fair damsels at home and at ease, or were accustomed to 
measure other people by their own partial standard of ex- 
cellence. 

Home is really t'le only place in which the heart has 
its peculiar sphere of action. From home, every thing is 
external ; every movement is measured ; every word is 
weighed ; and every attempt to conform to the prevailing 
mode shows something unnatural ; and even the most 
successful attempt is not divested of an air of affectation. 
But at home, with a proper knowledge of their own af- 
fairs ; free from all factitious restraint, these *' rustic dam- 
sels," delighted us by their energy ; their simplicity ; their 
courteous ease ; with the pleasantness, and correctness 
with which they received and treated their visitants. 
There was no embarrassment; no attempt to shovv off; 
no awkwardness; no arrogance; no consciousness of 
shrinking, timid inferiority. 

Miss Hardcastle stooped to conquer, but a Chancellor 
and a Bishop were conquered by the very kind of bar- 
maids whose character Miss H. had to assume. A strong 
mind loses none of its native delicacy by collision with 
the world, as a discriminating taste is formed, not solely 
by the inspection of pure models. The most discreet, at 
the same time most polite women, are those who have 
associated with large and mixed companies of men as well 
as of women. If Mrs. Montague acquired, as she says 
she did, her great power of thinking, and her ready power 
of expressing her thoughts to the requirement of her fa- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 33 

ther in law Doc. Middleton, tliat she should be present 
at the conversation of his learned friends, and afterwards 
report and review the subjects of their conversation at the 
family hearth ; the bar-maids of some hotels enjoy the 
like opportunity of gathering materials for reflection, 
though perhaps of a less refined nature. Few could have 
given us a more courteous reception, and shown a more 
polite address, than did the females of this establishment. 
A North Carolina planter, with his fair daughter, who 
had resided here a week, were now about to depart. A 
short interchange of civilities led to conversation, and 
that conversation to regrets that we were so soon to sep- 
arate. They had travelled all summer ; dow they meant 
to cross the White hills, pass along Connecticut river, 
look at the transparent Lake George, and visit Niagara, 
in a week. A long journey for so short a time. " The 
natural curiosities of that region are worthy of longer ob- 
servation. You there will tread on a vast Gazometer ; 
take care that you do not fall through." " What mean 
you V said the- gentleman. "Call on Mrs. Steel at the 
mill in Chippeway, and she may cause the river to be set 
on fire, for the amusement of the young lady, your daugh- 
ter." " Still I must repeat the question, what mean you ?" 
" Look, and you may see bubbles on the surface of the 
water — they are filled with Hydrogen gas ; perforate the 
crust of the earth and the same gas will issue through 
the aperture, both will blaze on the application of a light- 
ed candle." '' How long will the cavity continue to af- 
ford the ijas ?" " How lon^j will Etna and Vesuvius 
continue to burn ?" *' They are of a different structure." 
*' Perhaps it would be as correct to say, there is a differ- 
ent modification of matter." " But Etna throws out sul- 
phur in flame, which cannot be like this gas." '' Leave 
that to chemists." Perhaps in this great laboratory of 



34 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE 

nature, hydrogen gas will continue to be made by the 
decomposition of water, till the subterranean inlets are 
closed, and then the eruptions of Etna may cease. " If 
this hydrogen proceeds from water, I do not see but that 
the gas of Chippeway may continue while the river and 
the lakes furnish that fluid ; in which case, may not 
means be devised for conducting it to Albany or New 
York, as we now do the water of the lake, by means of 
canals ? what a magnificent project — worthy of Alexander 
himself Hydrogen gas generated at the region of the 
great falls, conducted through tubes 500 miles ; supplying 
the country through which it passed, and illuminating the 
great cities! well, 1 do not despair of any thing." The 
gentleman was no theorist, but there is no doubt of his 
communicating the idea, so that it will fall on some tin- 
der-like brain, and make a fine blaze. Many a theory 
has been raised on as airy a base ; and Americans are 
said to be peculiarly ingenious in extracting from the 
most absurd theories, some hint for useful inventions. 

The living beings were not the only good things to be 
found here. The house was new and neat ; the furniture 
good ; and the provision all that ought to be expected at 
this season ; and we had but two artificial people, in a com- 
pany of fourteen. Fastidious people should never travel. 
At Scituate in Rhode Island, our party stopped at Fish- 
er's about dinner time. Two very fine gentlemen were 
whipping their boots at the door. We called for dinner. 
The gentlemen observed, that we probably could not 
have any thing fit to eat, for the men had all gone to 
town meeting, and the landlady was dumpish and alone. 
They had been waiting an hour, and could not get any 
thing. We however procured a good dinner, in very 
good season ; and one of the gentlemen whispered, " we 
are indebted to you for this entertainment — loe gave or- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 35 

DERS, supposing we had a riglit to command a licensed 
Inn keeper ; you made a request, as though you asked 
a favour. If reproach was intended, let those laugh who 
win. So much for civility. A little more than civility 
however is useful — a determination to be contented, and 
to enjoy, even the variety if it be of paucity, which the 
world presents. 

Two of the native boarders, Doct. M. and Lawyer T., 
both very intelligent men, became very useful guides in 
all our excursions in this mountainous region. 

Senter Harbour is situate on a cove at the western ex- 
tremity of the Lake. The house stands at the foot of a 
high hill, on a gentle slope, bordering the lake about 100 
rods distant. There are many sites more beautiful and 
romantic, but few so convenient for use or pleasure. The 
great road from Vermont passes through the village, and 
thus makes it a thorough-fare for business ; and for pleas- 
ure, it presents a fine sheet of water in the midst of moun- 
tains, and diversified by villages, meadows, and project- 
ing points of land, covered with forest trees. Directly in 
front of the house is an almost level tract capable of be- 
ing converted into a garden, the alleys of which might 
terminate on a pier or platform, where ladies might en- 
joy the cool and refreshing breezes from the water, or 
amuse themselves by fishing under awnings. In cold 
days the walks might be screened from the winds that 
sweep down from the mountains, and which might be in- 
tercepted by plantations of evergreens. Fir trees, which 
are indigenous, would admirably suit this purpose ; and 
besides their perennial verdure, while every kind of forest 
tree collects, retains, and sheds a chilly moisture, — in 
addition to the soft carpet which its fallen, but undecay- 
ed leaves forms on the earth, gives out balsamic exuda- 
tions, not only to perfume, but to give a genial warmth to 



36 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

the air. Hence a residence in the midst of a forest of 
Fir trees, must be far more salubrious, especially for in- 
valids, than one amidst branching oaks and chesnuts. 

All travellers urge the proprietor to convert this spot 
into a garden, and assure him that it is the only improve- 
ment wanted, to make this little village as lovely "a sum- 
mer retreat, as invalids or parties of pleasure could desire. 
Lake Ontario and Erie, -are in the midst of a level coun- 
try; Winnipiseogee is in the bosom of mountains; hence 
the scenery is various and highly picturesque. 

It is said, that the lake contains at least 300 islands; 
whether the number be less or more, those are sufficient 
to give variety and interest to water excursions. Besides, 
those who deligfht in fishinfj as well as in sailincr would 
here find ample encouragement to renew the exercise ; 
an encouragement which is often wanted, since it is a 
great trial of their patience to feel scarcely a nibble dur- 
ing a four hours' excursion on the salt water of the Bay 
of Massachusetts. 

Previous to the Revolution, Gov. Wentworih had a seat 
at Wolfborough, on the N. E. side of the lake. Since his 
time it has had many owners, none of whom had much 
public spirit. The Governor caused that species of cod- 
fish, called the cusk, (said to be a scarcer and richer fish 
than the cod) to be transported to this lake, where, con- 
trary to the predictions of the learned and the unlearned, 
it lived and multiplied. 

Nature, said Brindley, the original projector of English 
canals, deposited water in reservoirs of lakes to supply fu- 
ture canals. Nature, says the manufacturer, made these 
deposits for the purpose of machinery. But if Nature had 
any forecast of these works of art, it seems to have been 
a secondary consideration, and that these waters should 
be thus applied, only when her original purpose was ac- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 37 

complished, and they had become superfluous ; and this 
original purpose was to supply food for her human pop- 
ulation. 

The savages hence drew their sustenance ; and the 
white people found here a supply before they ground corn 
and salted pork for their winter use. But the original stock 
was small, and rapidly diminished as the population in- 
creased ; yet man neglected to replenish these wastes of 
water with emigrants, from an opinion that fish would 
not live under any change of temperature. 

As well might you say a Frenchman would not live in 
Canada, nor a German in Pennsylvania, as that a fish of 
the salt ocean could not live in a fresh water lake. Be- 
sides the numerous kinds of fish that alternate between 
the sea and ponds, the experiment has been tried in vari- 
ous countries, with success, and proved beyond a doubt, 
that salt water fish will live and breed and thrive in fresh 
inland waters. Whether Gov. Wentworth was influenced 
by philosophical considerations, or merely the whim of a 
man of pleasure, his experiment completely succeeded. 

Did I reside near the Lake I would stock it not only 
with several kinds of swimming fish, but with stationary 
"clams and oysters, and even assign the rocky bottonis to 
shrimps and lobsters. I would cultivate, as the Legislator 
said, the waste water. The principal and only difficulty 
would be in the preservation of the stock from the depre- 
dations of the Yankees; for wherever they go, they exhaust, 
by their energy, or cupidity, the productions of earth and 
sea. 

Gen. Burbeck, the military commander at Michilimacki- 
nac, told me, that the fish of that lake would supply an 
abundant population with food, and be the means of in- 
viting settlers into that country, if the provision was re- 
stricted to home-consumption. But that during the term 

4 



38 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

of his residence on that station (3 years) the fish had evi- 
dently diminished, in consequence of the immense depre- 
dations of fishermen employed by the traders, who export- 
ed a vast quantity. '' In short," said he, *' tell a Yankee 
of a Beaver station, or a fish pond, and he will destroy the 
stock with thoughtless avidity."* 

On the guide-post opposite my window, are the follow- 
ing notations : 

Fryeburg, .... 40 miles. 

Portland, .... 70 

Portsmouth, ... 65 
. Meredith, .... 13 

Concord, .... 40 

Boston, .... 100 
Winnipiseogee river flowing from this lake, enters the 
Merrimack at or near Pembroke. Two canals are pro- 
posed, one to the Merrimack and one to Dover. The lat- 
ter is generally preferred on account of its vicinity to the 
sea, and that it will pass directly to the great manufactur- 
ing establishments of Dover and Somersworth. Capt. 
Porter proposes establishing his steamboat on the lake ; 
to be connected with the canal. 

Some years hence, this lake, so near the Capital and ex- 
tending so far into the heart of the Country, and contigu- 
ous to a chain of smaller lakes, must become of immense 
importance to agriculture and commerce. Its banks, and 
the banks of the smaller lakes, will be covered with villa- 
ges and population ; while a thousand mill streams will 
be drawn off to work the machinery of numerous manu- 
factories. Guilford already wants such a mode of con- 
veyance for its treasury of excellent iron. 

The lake is 472 feet above the level of the ocean, and 
232 above the Merrimack, and between Meredith and the 

* Mr. Giles of Detroit took in one seine, in two nights, 4700 white fish, equal 
to 816 barrels. Columbian Centinel, April 26, 1828. 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 39 

Merrimack, a distance of twenty-one miles are only ten 
falls. 

The makers of books of travels often confound times 
and seasons, by copying what belongs to one age as char- 
acteristic of another. Manners, though not so changea- 
ble as women's dresses, yet change once an age ; and he 
who takes his descriptions of the present age from Dan- 
ton^ or Robine, or Rouchefocault, will give very false por- 
traits. Specimens of former times are to be seen in all 
countries, but they are varieties — curiosities of antiquity, 
to be examined and admired by antiquarians. Such has 
been the interchange of modern times ; such the commer- 
cial intercourse ; and so generally and strongly has the 
migrating spirit prevailed, that scarcely any part of the 
population remains stationary, except the elderly inhabi- 
tants of old villages. 

The older towns on the sea-coast, send their young men 
and -women into the wilderness, where they are obliged 
by the nature of the circumstances, to adopt new modes, 
and practise substitutions for conveniences they have aban- 
doned. 

In the old settlements every thing partakes of decay ; 

the soil is much exhausted ; the houses are out of repair ; 
the spirit of the people is depressed. In the new, all is 
fresh, vigorous and improving ; even religion, the pre- 
dominating principle of the old, though it seem to hang 
more loosely, is more practicable, and, perhaps, as fer- 
vent in the new settlement. Yet writers of tours and 
travels, harp on the peculiarities of our puritan ances- 
tors, and gravely talk of prejudices and customs, which 
are far more common in England, their birth place, than 
in this country, at this day. 

From the infancy of the country, political inquiry, and 
political discussion, have been popular and general intel- 



40 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

Jectual exercises. The principle, that enlightened men 
only, can endure political freedom, where individual con- 
venience must be the voluntary sacrifice to the general 
good, is fully recognized. From this principle proceeds 
that attention to education which prepares the mind of 
youth rightly to estimate his own interest in the general 
welfare of the community. Hence he is accustomed to 
examine and to require the reason for all public acts — 
and thus he acquires the habit of rejecting in his private 
concerns and opinions, every thing not corresponding 
with the dictates of common sense, or the conclusions of 
legitimate reasoning. 

Hence superstition gains no ground ; and hence a very 
general rejection, among the men at least of those relig- 
ious dogmas, which a good Catholic might admit, be- 
cause they are mysterious. Yet there is no question 
that dogmas are better for those who can digest nothing 
else, than unbelief Ignorant people in rejecting dogmas 
fall into infidelity. Men of understanding, in rejecting 
dogmas adopt liberal sentiments ; and liberal sentiments 
in religion, necessarily warm the heart, cherish the aflfec- 
tions and influence the conduct. Women, on the con- 
trary, more susceptible and less accustomed to reason 
deeply, give up their whole souls to what strongly affects 
the heart ; hence religion with them is a sentiment, 
which like love, rejects all doubt, and suffers no analyzing 
process to disturb and cool its confiding Hiith. They are 
of course most liable to be influenced by address and en- 
thusiasm, and what Bishop Jeremy Taylor applied to the 
women of his day, may, perhaps, with equal propriety, be 
applied to our own times : *"' The cunning sects, (Jesuits 
and Presbyterians) prevailed more by whispering to ladi^es, 
than all the church of England, and the more sober prot- 
estants could do by fine force, and strength of argument." 



1 



EXCURSION TO VVINNIPISEOGEE. 41 

Saturday night came, but with it no such straight ob-» 
servance, as some have noted as peculiar to New Eng- 
land. The family and the guests enjoyed a social musi- 
cal evening. On Sunday, part of our company rode to 
Moultonborough, to unite in public worship ; part made 
an excursion to Red Hill. I sauntered to the side of the 
lake, towards which I saw a boat approaching. Four 
men dressed as laborers, composed the crew. After 
making fist, they landed, and seemed prepared to wait 
leisurely for others who were expected to proceed with 
them about twenty five miles on the lake. I fell into 
conversation with them, and learned much concerning 
the navigation and the country. One man was uncom- 
monly intelligent. He had travelled and observed much ; 
knew not only the geography of the United States very 
minutely, but appeared completely at home, when speak- 
ing of the characters of our eminent men, who had been, 
or were now engaged in the concerns of the States, and 
of the country. " Had he been in Congress?" No. " In 
the Legislative assembly of New Hampshire ?" No. Well, 
thought 1, many a less knowing man has occupied a seat 
in both those bodies. He seemed to make an excuse for 
thus deviating from the customary employment of the 
Sabbath. " Whatever may be my own opinions," said 
he, " nothing but necessity should induce me to set be- 
fore my children any example of disregard and disrespect 
to the established customs of my ancestors. Besides, 
both in religion and politics, however we may change in 
doctrines, early associations and impressions retain a se- 
cret, [ind I presume, a beneficial influence, by rendering 
us more earnest in search of truth, and more critical in 
exami.-ing opinions." He spoke of the new minister of 
M., wv-om our friends had gone to hear, as " a very good 

man^ out more zealous for points of doctrine, than refor- 
4* 



42 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

mation in morals ; observing that the epistle of James, 
was of more value, than all the sermons that had ever 
been published." " He, he said, had learned his religion 
in the woods, and in the world." " New Hampshire," 
said he, " is reprobated by your missionaries for its impie- 
ty ; by your liberals for its zeal, — the first applies to the 
men, the second to the women. Yet they both spring 
from religious feelings. What appears impious, is a de- 
testation of such repulsive doctrines as are preached by 
fanatics ; and zeal is the ebulition of pious emotions. 
Dogmatism and mystery are repulsive. Doctrines that 
do no violence to common sense, enlighten the under- 
standing, and warm the heart ; and common sense is al- 
ways teachable. When we look on nature, every thing is 
characterized by benevolence of design. When we hear 
your missionaries, all is gloom and horror. Man is in- 
structed to believe prayer to be the sole object or occupa- 
tion of life. He who follows the instructions of such mis- 
sionaries must forego all other labour. Discord in fami- 
lies ensues, and doubts and terror shake the minds of the 
weaker sex. The catholic has a remedy; his confessions 
are followed by absolution, and his doubt has an end ; he 
believes in modern miracles, he believes in mystery, he 
believes in saintly and invisible agency. The Quaker si- 
lently meditates till his heart is warmed, and the true 
spirit of devotion has descended upon him. The method- 
ist beats himself into fervour. The Swedenborgian 
has visions and communion with glorified beings. These 
all have the poetry of religion. All the rest are fiery fan- 
atics, abstract metaphysical theorists, or cold reasoners. 
Yet the latter often enjoy gentle inspirations, that refresh 
and invigorate, and send them back among their fellow 
beings warm, cheerful, and benevolent. Revelation be- 
comes the interpreter of nature. The mystics, on the 
contrary, of every description, are under perpetual dread^ 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 43 

and hence are forced into action to drown their sense of 
misery ; for miserable are their feelings, and doubtful 
are there hopes." " See here" continued he, takino" 
from his pocket several tracts, *' what pitiful tales you 
scatter through the country ; making our women tremble, 
and filling our children with dread, I wish Congress 
would establish a board for the diffusion of useful knowl- 
edge, and fill the space these missionary tracts now occu- 
py in the national post bags, with a weekly paper exclu- 
sively appropriated to subjects of domestic utility, and 
carried free of charge to every man's door." 

" But religious tracts are not the only benefits you at- 
tempt to confer on us. Here are your political pamphlets, 
without cost, instructing us in our rights ; that is, in the 
view of a party. It seems as though your Bay-folks 
thought, all sense and knowledge belonged' to them. Did 
knowledge however depend on their books, or indeed on 
any books, we should have few practical Legislators. It 
is a mistake that learning must meet learning in State af- 
fairs. The man was right who said, "ordinary men of plain 
common sense were the wisest Governors ; and that those 
have been the best ministers who rested on downrio-ht 
common sense to baffle the arts of the most skilful dip- 
lomatist." In our corporations of states, those are the 
safest Legislators who avoid the involvements of law. The 
less learning, the greater the observation, greater origi- 
nality of thought, less doubt, more judicious decision, 
greater developement of genius, more exact judgment, 
more judicious adaptation of expedients. Whoever fol- 
lows the writers, must al^ways have precedents for lead- 
incp strings. 

A little popular learning makes men conceited ; a lim- 
ited range of observation, intolerably dull, or monotonous. 
Our men of business, when advanced to the Legislature, 



44 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

make business speeches ; our orators steal there ideas 
and expand them, as boys expand soap bubbles, round, 
light and glittering. Yet after all, the clown of observa- 
tion is. the single minded judge. He judges of every 
measure of Government by applying it to himself ; he 
woikrf hard for his money, he feels that he has a right to 
reap the reward of his own industry ; consequently that 
his right is infringed, whenever the Legislature demands 
more than is sufficient for the necessary purposes of Gov- 
ernment. Hence he considers restrictions and bounties 
as impolitic and partial. Impolitic, because they pro- 
duce an unnatural extension of manufactures, which are 
liable to be destroyed by succeeding Legislatures, and 
thus distress a body of people, who have been diverted 
from their proper employment by fallacious prospects, of 
subsistence or wealth. Plants that require a hot-bed can 
never become the ordinary articles of the field culture. 
And they are partial, because they give a bounty to the 
few at the expense of the many. 

Equality is destroyed, when the people are compelled to 
purchase of monopolists ; and any manufacture that will 
not support itself is premature. A free competition with 
other nations is the best security for manufacturers 
at home, as it gives permanency to the concern. How 
much does England suffer, by forcing a great part of its 
population to depend for a support on the contingency of 
a Legislative act ? Take for instance its silk looms. De- 
signed in the first instance to supersede the manufactory 
of Italy, to whose climate and people -it properly belongs, 
50,000 people are liable to be thrown on their pauper 
lists, for want of the knowledge, and the means of any 
other employment. A repeal of the law ; a change in 
commerce ; or the introduction of such machinery, as en- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 45 

ables one man to supersede the labour of ten, brings on 
distress, riot and punishment. ., 

This and many other manufactories must be cherished. 
Hence come rev^enu^" hiws, or, as more properly they 
might be called, laws for the promotion of smuggling, 
multiplication of crimes, severity and frequency of pmi' 
ishnients, and the entailment of pauperism on posterity. 
When the duty on commodities is worth saving, means 
will be sought, and risks encountered to avoid the pay- 
ment. Your mercliants well know this. Excuse me, sir, 
for my boldness, but I have lived in Boston, and during 
the embargo times; and know that several of my friends, 
enterprising young men from this neighborhood, made 
their fortunes in this way. They profess to have clear 
consciences, because the leading Statesmen of the times 
openly declared in their speeches and writings, the re- 
strictions to bo unconstitutional ; yet while the law was 
in beincr submission to its restrictions was a moral obli- 
gation. What is profitable to government, will be sup- 
ported by law ; and every attempt to evade the law, will 
be punished as a fraud ; and spies, who are the receivers 
of a part of the forfeiture, will be on the watch ; accusa- 
tions multiply ; the courts will be filled ; and the prisons 
will groan with victims. A host of idlers will hence be- 
gin ; and will create families who are to live by their wits 
and transmit their vocation to a numerous progeny. *' If 
the law had not come, they had not sinned," and society 
would have beheld none of the evils which have their 
origin in revenue and protection laws ; which are fed by 
these laws ; which are propagated by these laws ; and 
which the law can never stop." 

But do you not forget, said I, the great dissimilarity of Eu- 
rope and America? In Europe the manufiicturers have 
been, and are, hands. In America, machines. It is a 



46 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

happy circumstance that the ingenuity of the people has 
been tasked to invent substitutes for manual labour. 
With our extensive country and thin population, no great 
manufactories could possibly be supported without those 
substitutes ; and with them we shall prevent, in a great 
measure, the evil of pauperism, while Europe, overstocked 
with hands, cannot introduce labour-saving machines, 
without feeding those, of the present generation at least, 
who must be dismissed from employment. With us, on 
the contrary, how many thousands begin and continue in 
the more congenial employments of farming, and the me- 
chanic arts, and thus spread a healthy population through 
our immense country. And is it not vastly better that a 
manufactory should be encouraged to its full capacity in 
an early stage of society, that men may sooner learn 
the necessity of preparing themselves, and their children 
for permanent employments that depend on the provisions 
of nature rather than on the precarious contingency of 
law, or the demands of ever shifting fashion ?" 

My friends returned, and hoisted the signal for dinner. 
I was highly gratified with the specimen of New Hamp- 
shire sagacity ; and departed with an exchange of hopes 
to meet again. 

Europeans cannot have more erroneous notions con- 
cerning the people of New-England, than the inhabitants 
of the capital of New-England have concerning the inhabi- 
tants of the interior of Vermont and New-Hampshire. 
The printed reports of some missionaries have tended to 
strengthen these misconceptions. The labours of the 
missionaries are generally among the most ignorant and 
shiftless part of the community ; they have much perso- 
nal suffering to endure, and much obstinacy to encounter 
and no doubt sometimes write under the irritation of mor- 
tified feelings, and with the indignation of virtuous sensi- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 47 

bility. It is extremely uncharitable to accuse them as 
many do, of exaggerating the difficulty of their labours, 
from interested and selfish motives. They are generally 
honest and zealous men, though not always the most judi- 
cious ; have little knowledge of mankind ; and frequently 
abound with sectarian bitterness and bigotry. Even that 
elegant, liberal and accomplished scholar, who a few 
years since, made a tour of inspection into this part of the 
country, seems liable to the charge of selecting sentences 
for the purpose of effect. It would be well for all mis- 
sionaries to study the instructions of the Jesuits as given 
in the life of Francis Xavier, the great catholic apostle, 
as he was called, to the Indies. 

The Attorney general of Vermont once invited me to 
visit the village school. I found the method of instruction 
to be similar to that of our best city schools, and the 
books in use, uniformly the same. This uniformity in ele- 
mentary books will eventually banish every species of Pro- 
vincialism. No instructor will henceforth be tolerated, 
who deviates from the national standard. This school is 
free from one absurdity which our city schools still retain, 
viz. that of dictionary lessons. 

The old towns neglect their schools ; the new towns 
are remarkably careful of them. '"'Our people," said the 
Attorney General, " are young and enterprising, and are 
ambitious not only of keeping up the school establishment, 
but of introducing all the improvements which the best 
city schools have adopted. Fortunately likewise we have 
fewer objects to repress the invention and curiosity of 
children, than are offered to those who live in luxurious 
cities. We are remote from toy-shops, that supply with- 
out effort, what boys would otherwise invent. We have 
prevailed on our traders to forbear importing idle story 
books, and unnatural pictures, from a conviction that va- 



48 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

riety enough for amusement or the excitement of curiosi- 
ty can be had from the realities of life. Plato wisely ex- 
cluded poetry from his republic. Fables may originate 
in an ignorant age, but all the splendid fascinations of poet- 
ry are bestowed on them in an age of refinement. Idleness 
and luxury require the stimulants of fiction and wonder. 
The Quakers long ago, learned the secret of engaging 
the mind of infancy itself, by truth. They found that 
children always inquired "if the story were true ?" And 
of Jack the giant killer, Tom Thumb, and the infinite 
host of nursery and shop books, what account could b.e 
given? From all such, impressions are made on young 
minds, and a foundation is laid for the admission of fic- 
tion, or in other words, for invention of filsehood, equiv- 
ocation and lying. We had rather a whole Encyclopedia 
should be torn in pieces, and the parts distributed among 
the pupils, than that cheap books of amusement should be 
introduced; for here they find abundant matter to excite 
and satisfy curiosity." 

Horses and carriages were in readiness to convey some 
of our party to Red Hill, about four miles from this place. 
This is the highest accessible hill in the vicinity, and is 
usually visited by all travellers. Part of the road is very 
rough and steep, but a proper curiosity overcomes all dif- 
ficulties, and the prospect from the summit, richly repays 
for the labour. Mountain after mountain seems floating 
in the midst of many a lake ; and it said, that the 
scenery is more varied and more extensive than what can 
be seen from the White Hills, because Red Hill has a 
medium station, which is usually clear, while the White 
Hills are generally involved in mist and cloud. A view 
of the White Hills is obstructed by the Ossipee. 

This hill is the retreat of a certain contemplative re- 
cluse by the name of C. D. who occasionally enters the 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 49 

house, and sometimes travels abroad, but spends most of 
his time in the open air among the trees and bushes, 
without any other apparent motive than that of musing. 
Here, likewise, resides a very genteel family of talkative 
and civil beggars. They sold us a refreshment of blue- 
berries. This species of whortleberry grows in abundance 
on such eminences ; we found them on Wachusett 3,200 
feet above the sea. They are gathered and dried, and 
used as a substitute for Zante currants. Mrs. C's cake, 
with which we were regaled the evening before, satisfac- 
torily proved that the berries thus prepared, were as 
sweet and as palatable as imported currants. 

A long register of the names of visitants was spread be- 
fore us, on which we were requested to write our 
names, while the master amused us by the recital of 
the most remarkable sayings of several great and 
honourable men and women, who had been his visitants, 
and whose names had been thus immortalized. He had 
likewise taught a crow to pronounce the names of a few 
who had been peculiarly bountiful to his wife and chil- 
dren. 

Among other animals that mingled with the company 
was a venerable dog, of whose capacity and genealogy we 
were entertained in a specification of considerable length. 
The ancestor of this dog was said to be the most famous 
in Essex County in Massachusetts, for libertinism and 
stratagem. D. told us that he had recollected having 
once seen a history of the achievements of two in Ipswich ; 
and he had little doubt that this was one of the same 
breed. He promised to procure a copy for our perusal, 
observing however, that it offended some political parti- 
zans, whose sensitiveness construed it into a satire on 
some of their leaders. (See Appendix B.) 

This region I thought might be similar in appearance 

5 



50 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

to some in the Highlands of Scotland. "Oh, you are 
not the first that has thought so," said Miss L . . . " An 
old Scotch beggar, a beadsman, perhaps, more like the 
Douglass than Edre Ocheltre, was here a few years ago. 
He stood at the door for some time, wrapped in thought. 
At length he exclaimed, " How much like my own coun- 
try !" Are you from Scotland? " I am, may it please 
you, lady," said he. — " and M'^Donald loves every 
thing that is Scotch." McDonald, said I — what, find 
his way into woods as well as into cities? "Did you 
know him, sir ?" Yes, he has been a noted personage 
for 20 years past. I have heard that he belonged to a 
family remarkable for their physical strength, and longev- 
ity — one of the name having lived 117 years; another 
111. And the one you saw here, died lately, at about 
the same age, at the Alms House in Lynn.* This last 
has been the inmate of every Alms House in the United 
States. He has been an incessant traveller, and at the 
age of 105, was firm and athletic, though a little more 
contented to sleep under cover and on a pillow of straw, 
than on the ground, with a stone for his head piece. He 
has been, even to extreme old age, one of the most active 
and athletic men I ever heard of; and I do not wonder 
that he brings the Douglass to a romantic mind. Intoxi- 
cated with a very small quantity of ardent spirit, he was 

♦ At the Alms House in Lynn, Donald McDonald, aged 108. — He was boru in 
Scotland in 1722. He was in the British service before he came to this country ; 
was at the taking of Quebec, when Wolf fell, and with Braddock when he was 
killed by the Indians, and was one of the few, whom Washington, then a Major, 
conducted from the field of battle. Donald served several years in our revolution- 
ary war in Gen. Green's regiment. He left Portsmouth in April last, and travelled 
on foot to Washington, and on his way back stopped at our Alms House, where 
he died on the morning of the 4th inst. Before his sickness he was intelligent and 
related many incidents, both of his early life and latter years with great minute- 
ness. He had an intercourse with^President Jackson and his Cabinet, while at 
Washington, and gave a correct account of his reception at the seat of Govern- 
ment. 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 51 

boisterous and frantic ; but when sober, sprightly and in- 
telligent, and never forgetting his good manners. On 
one occasion he exhibited a fine trait of his national pride. 
It was thus related to me, by Mrs. P. The superintendant 
of the kitchen of the Boston Alms House, Mrs. Shaw, was 
a young Scotch woman. M'^Donald, on being brought 
in one day, was questioned by her about something rela- 
ting to her department. Attracted by her accent, he 
turned to her, then from her, and giving her a look of in- 
effable disdain, passed on without making any reply. The 
next morning, when he came to her larder for hir break- 
fast, he bowed very low, and with a peculiarly oby^quious 
tone of invocation, begged a thousand pardon, for his 
rudeness the evening before, saying, " Indeed, indeed, 
I thought you Scotch, and was mortified to find a Scotch 
Lassie, in a Yankee Aims-House ; but I did not know 
then that you was an Officer." On further conversation, 
it appeared that they both were natives of Inverness. 
McDonald had known her grandfather, and mentioned 
so many particulars of the people and place as to verify 
that part of his story. 

We returned to our lodgings, not a little fatigued, but 
highly delighted with our excursion. 

Taking advantage of a fine day, we resolved to make an 
excursion of about twenty miles to visit an Indian en- 
campment. It was situated on the skirts of a forest of 
oaks, and near to a very flourishing village. An annual 
excursion from Penobscot, usually begins in May, and oc- 
cupies several weeks. The Indians make a residence of 
several days in the vicinity of some place which offers a 
market for their baskets, brooms, mats, &i^c. as well as an 
opportunity to solicit charity. Their encampment was 
not dissimilar to that of the gipsies of Europe, as described 
by writers. The principal difference consists in their 



52 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

freedom from predatory practises ; their occupation of 
basket making, and their daily exercise of shooting with 
the bow and arrow. These half civilized Indians, have 
lost much of that freedom, that elasticity of spirit, that 
lightness of lirnb and movement, which belong to un- 
tamed savages ; yet in the management of the bow, they 
are equally alert and skilful ; and when excited by game 
or the temptation of reward, exhibit great physical power 
and skill and intellectual intenseness. In fact the human 
form cannot, in any circumstances, show more intensity 
of feeling than does that of the Indian when under strong 
excitement. An Indian is indifferent, listless and lazy, 
or active and even sublime, in exact proportion to the 
danger he is in, or the value of the object he pursues. In 
firing at insignificant animals, he is careless ; at danger- 
ous ones, so intent, that his whole soul seems to be con- 
densed into one act. In one case, he snatches up his bow 
without any preparation, shoots with carelessness and re- 
relaxes into inattention. In the other, he rises silently, 
slowly and stooping ; he proceeds with caution, exam- 
ines his weapon, adjusts his string and arrow, takes a 
firm position, balances his head ; stands erect, and moves 
with slight vibrations of his body to examine his prey ; 
throws his head on the left, draws, lets fly his arrow, 
but remains fixed till he sees the effect of his shot ; 
then, if successful, relaxes with an air of triumph, throws 
back his head, draws home his left foot, and becomes up- 
right. During this transaction he is a study for a statua- 
ry ; and he who can transfer the image to the marble, 
though he but copy nature, will produce one of those in- 
imitable works, which become the admiration of mankind. 
But to catch the attitude, the intenseness, the fire, the 
sublimity, the soul, as they glance from the combined ef- 
fect of the position, action, and spirit of the whole ; from 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 53 * 

the dawn of exultation, to tlie completion of triumph, to 
have the intuitive perception of rapid sensation ; to em- 
body them in his own soul in one moment, character ob- 
tained and fixed by a glance, must be the property only 
of genius of the highest order. 

Mountain scenery expands the mind more than the 
grandest exhibitions of art. Every work of man has some 
littleness blended with its grandeur ; and the feelings that 
arise from the first observance of magnificent temples, are 
soon frittered away by the intrusion of art : yet caged 
in a city, we deem them to be wonderful efforts of crea- 
tive genius, and superior to the productions of nature. 
And to eyes limited to city walls, the objects are adapted 
to the vision of contracted observers. Fix the summer 
clouds of twilight like a frozen ocean, and their beauty 
would soon vanish ; deprive the mountains of their waving 
forests, their tumbling cataracts, their immediate accom- 
paniments, and they would be lifeless as the desert. It 
is the splendid radiance of shifting forms, ever moving, 
ever assuming new shapes, ever seeming to be animated 
with active power, ever performing new and singular ev- 
olutions, both in the sky and on the earth ; and all under 
the pressure of unseen energy, sensibly referring to some 
agency ; mysterious without fearfulness and superstition ; 
grand without tiie abasement of art ; beautiful without a 
tinge of prettiness ; immeasurable, without any standard 
of comparison, any rule of adjustment, any limit to change, 
any geometrical outline, any nicety of coloring — that ar- 
rest the eye, expand the imagination, absorb every feel- 
ing of the heart, and fill the whole soul with inexpres- 
sible and contemplative delight. No wonder that in ages of 
ignorance and consequent superstition, not the vulgar on- 
ly but the imaginative, should people every deep dell 
5* 



54 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

and mountain cavern with '' the unseen genius of the 
wood." 

If parents desire to expand the minds of their children 
beyond the wires of the city-cage, let them look at, and 
become familiar with the woods, the wilds, and the moun- 
tains. Let them not trust to the conventional formulas 
of poets and novelists for just ideas of nature. Let them 
receive early impressions from nature herself, and then 
the descriptions of writers will be fully understood and 
appreciated. Then we shall no longer hear grown peo- 
ple express a wonderment at what is natural ; nor see 
enlightened men bring art as the standard by which to 
measure nature, instead of judging of art by nature, the 
mother of all art. A picture will not then be estimated 
by its coloring, only, or by the individual correctness of 
single figures; but by its large and general character, 
expanded by the hand of the genuine artist, who so dis- 
poses, combines and animates, as to create a perfect whole, 
which fills the mind by its completeness. We should no 
longer hear the names of great masters profaned by 
boasting connoisseurs, whose taste has been bought in 
Paris, or by girls who have giggled at the exhibitions of 
the Atheneum. One noble idea of nature, prepares the 
mind for the reception and love of the arts ; and he who 
does not acquire the rudiments of taste, by the contem- 
plation of her beauties, by living in the midst of her mag- 
nificence ; by frequenting her romantic wildernesses ; by 
surveying her picturesque and animated scenery, till his 
mind becomes impregnated with the true spirit which she 
pours in profusion on every thing around him — may 
judge of the accurate contour of a profile, but will never 
be a correct judge of the picturesque, nor a '' fit auditor," 
for a painter, " whose big imagination moves in the lip 1" 
" to the dumbness of whose gesture, one might interpret." 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 55 

Two ladies and two gentlemen arrived to-day from 
Holderness, where they had spent a week, being unwill- 
ing, they said, to quit this region, while fine weather by 
day, and fine moonlight by night, favoured their enjoy- 
ments. One of the ladies was so enraptured with a moon- 
light scene, on one of the intermediate hills between this 
and Squam Lake, that some of our company determined 
to visit it, either now or on our returning from the dis- 
tant region we proposed to reach next week. 

With two boats, both under a light sail, we took our 
departure about 9 o'clock, and looking into several creeks 
which indented and sometimes penetrated far into the 
woods, we arrived at Moultonborough in about three 
hours. We might have ascended the Ossipee mountain, 
had time permitted, and have had from the summit, a 
fair view of the White Hills. 

The Indians resorted to this broken country for safety, 
and to the lakes in general for the purpose of fishing. 
Relics of their encampments are frequently found, hard- 
ly curious enough however to suit the magnificence of 
poetry, or to afford any illustrations of history. European 
Literati would want employment, were there no ruins to 
explore, to describe or to quarrel about ; and as no age 
can be without such amusing speculations ; our succes- 
sors will probably invent antiquities ; poets will people 
the recesses of the forests with sprites, fairies, goblins and 
genii ; novelists will import fables ; historians will natu- 
ralize classic and gothic stories, and traditions, or assign 
periods of migration from the Asiatic shores, provided an 
age of fiction can by the force of genius, be made to su- 
persede the age of reason ; or if the routine of regular 
employment must be relieved by strange and marvellous 
recitals. 

Novelty we know is prodigiously fecundant, and he 



56 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

who resuscitates the dead of an old country, or remote 
age, becomes the progenitor of an overflowing population 
in the new. These are as yet virgin woods : and it re- 
mains to be seen, whether the fictions, the fables, the 
goblins, the ghosts, the evil eye, the second sight, and all 
the host of vulgar superstitions, together with the decrep- 
it cupids, the stale venuses, vampyres, bowers of bliss, 
enchanted gardens, haunted castles, witching cells — sub- 
jects, that migrating from the east, have appeared in ev- 
ery quarter of Europe ; will be imported, naturalized and 
nourished, in a country that has not been darkened by 
ignorance, nor conquered, divided and parcelled out to 
chiefs, hierarchs, and conspirators, whose policy and 
interest silenced inquiry and interdicted knowledge. 

Havino" heard much of the Indian Doctor, and the 
wonderful cures he had performed, we were desirous of 
paying him a visit, and actually set out for that purpose, 
determining to cross the Ossipee, rather than wind around 
it, by a road, that in some places w^as little better than a 
foot-path. We were however soon discouraged, and 

turned towards the residence of Doctor C Here 

we met with a hospitable reception, and much curious in- 
formation. Informing him of our first intention, he gave a 
very graphic description of the person, the habitation, and 
the manners of the singular Indian Doctor. " He owes 
his reputation, said our friend, to accident. It was nec- 
essary to secrete a notorious debauchdl*, and this remote 
place was to be his residence. Being obliged to live on 
vegetables and water, he was not only restored to perfect 
health, but a complete revolution was effected in his 
mind. His irregularities being forgotten, or forgiven in 
consequence of his reformation, he was again admitted to 
the society of his friends. From this time, he assiduous- 
ly promoted the interest of the Indian Doctor, by recom- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 



57 



mending his skill in curing dyspepsy, intemperance, and 
Other disorders. The doctor soon found it convenient to 
lay in large quantities of roots and herbs. You may 
readily conceive how many disorders would disappear, by 
being deprived of nourishment ; and this is the secret of 
his skill and reputation." 

Our host, the physician, is a man of great learning, and 
large experience. He received his medical education in 
Philadelphia, under the celebrated Dr. Physic. He had 
intended to make Portsmouth his permanent place of res- 
idence, but the decline of health became so alarming, 
that it was necessary to retire to the country and give 
himself up to moderate exercise and perfect seclusion. 
In a short time he recovered so much vigor, as to be able 
to practise in the neighborhood, merely for the sake of 
amusement, and occupation. In the course of two years, 
his health was perfectly restored, and his practice had so 
extended, as to put him in danger of being overcome by 
fatigue. " Of all professions," said he, " that of a Physi- 
cian is the most laborious. It is so in Town — it is 
much more so amid a widely scattered population. In 
the course of fifteen years' practise, the greater moiety of 
my nights has been disturbed by requisitions from a 
distance. Sometimes twenty miles of woods were to be 
threaded ; sometimes the Lakes were to be passed over 
in an open boat. No matter what was the weather, the 
Doctor's humanity must always be put to the test. Re- 
muneration was a thing not to be thought of; if futurity 
brought any, it was well, but recollection seldom accom- 
panied restoration. Why I have lived here so long, may 
naturally be inquired. Habit, occupation, and health, 
answer that inquiry. There are privations to which we 
all must submit ; to a Physician, the greatest, is the want 
of intercourse with professional men, for, however full the 



58 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

books may be, the suggestions of reasoning and living ex- 
perience are infinitely more important to a practitioner. 
But in the country, consultations must necessarily be rare. 
Educated men will not willingly settle where they must 
labor without reward, and cultivate their own fields for 
subsistence. Doctors there are, it is true, in abundance — 
men who have read the Family-Physician and rode six 
months with some popular practitioner. As the country 
improves, this class diminishes, and the people give a 
preference to regular physicians, where they can be ob- 
tained. What the practice was thirty years ago, you may 
learn from a description written by Mr. S. who was de- 
tained by a storm at a miserable tavern in no very remote 
village, where a sign board designated it to be the resi- 
dence of a person who was both an innkeeper and a doc- 
tor." The Doctor then going to his desk, took from one 
of the drawers a manuscript, of which he permitted me 
to take a copy. 

At the corner of an obscure village, we discerned a 
sign-board inscribed with the name of a rich merchant of 
one of our large commercial towns. It was a singularity 
which attracted notice, and induced inquiry. We were 
told that the owner of the land, (for it could not 
be called a farm, nor a gentleman's villa), resided 
here from April to June, in order to avoid the high taxes 
that were assessed on his property in his place of business ; 
the tax in the country being nine tenths less. This we 
considered as a pernicious example among any order of 
citizens, more especially among those who exercise the 
power of self-government ; that government even when 
exercised by a select body, being nothing more than the 
substitute for their own personal attendance, advice, and 
decision. The wisest Legislatures have always deemed 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 59 

a personal tax a necessary means of making the people 
feel their individual interest in the government. The 
Jewish Legislator laid a perpetual tax on the people for 
the support of his Hierarchal government, and this ex- 
ample has never been abandoned. Modern governments, 
separating themselves sometimes from the people, have 
by indirect taxes, broken in a great measure this bond of 
connexion, and applied the revenue to objectionable pur- 
poses. Wars would seldom occur if the pockets of the 
people were immediately to be lightened to support the 
expenses ; and corruption would abate where the treasu- 
ry must be replenished by a demand on the individuals 
of the community. An abundant revenue derived from 
unfelt taxes is the main-spring of war, and the source 
and support of corruption. In the necessary support of 
government, all acquiesce, and equal taxation for that 
purpose, may not justly be evaded. But with regard to 
indirect taxes by means of commercial revenue acts, 
there is reason to think that few who pay them, feel per- 
perfectly satisfied with their equality, or of the entire jus- 
tice of their application. Hence mercantile men, for 
want of due consideration, sometimes act very basely. 
Instead of proposing and effecting Legislative amend- 
ments, they break the law, and thus set an example 
which operates as a precedent for the unprincipled and 
the more speculative. 

A high sense of honor, a national feeling ; and a jeal- 
ous regard for the character of personal integrity, which 
gives distinction to the mercantile class, and procures re- 
spect and confidence, at home and abroad, was universal 
during the long period of the Federal administration. 
One or two instances occurred, but they were branded 
with disgrace. The restrictive system operated as a 
bounty upon fraud, abated the indignation of public opin- 



60 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

ion, relaxed the lies of good faith, and thus impaired the 
soundness of public morals. But in the local concerns 
of a municipal population, where all have some connex- 
ion, and one general interest, it is rare that such a case 
as this of a merchant shifting the burden from his own to 
that of his neighbor's shoulder occurs ; and where it does, 
the man may justly merit contempt. 

"Ask you, why in the country that new sign ? — 
Comes a rich merchant, a wliole month to dine. — 
But why this labor ere the first of May .' 
In loyal townships is no tax to pay .' 
Or does tlie mob, in flattery of the great, 
Remit the county, town, and parish rate .' 
"Go, hapless mortal, count thy gold in haste, 
For chance that gave, succeeding chance may waste. 
Ask of no Judges to protect thy wealth ; 
Ask of no watch to guard thy house from stealth ; 
Ask of no arms on ocean or on land, 
To check the hostile, stop the lawless band ; 
Ask of no neighbor, lest thy sons expire, 
Help, or to rescue, or to quench the fire; 
Let order, government, be all o'erthrown. 
Be bridges broken, roads with woods o'ergrown, 
Be wives promiscuous to the rude embrace, 
Be houseless children and unknovvti their race, 
Spread ruin, anarchy, and rude uproar. 
Wild ruffians plunder, murder cloy the door, 
Since from the general slock withdrawn thy gold, 
Th' example teaches— why not all withhold: 
All who protection take, must pay the price, 
Of power to rule, and law to punish vice ! 
The social compact never makes a slave, 
And each man's wealth, the social compact gave. 
Without its rules, thy canvass ne'er had spread; 
Without its fences, masts had been thy bread ; 
It guards thy cargoes, it protects thy fields. 
Thy freedom warrants, and thy being shields ; 
It gave to thee, thy fortune's well to carve ; 
And yet the social compact, thou wouldst starve." 

^71071. 

The M., once the most splendid family in the region, 
and literally the Lords of the Isles, have left no palaces 
adorned with columns of granite, and arches emblazoned 



I 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 61 

with heraldic devices, no tombs distinguished by the 
chisel of the sculptor, nor monumental tablets inscribed 
with records of lofty or beneficent deeds ; the name of 
the town alone remains. 

I had heard much, when a boy, of the greatness of the 
ancestor, and was very desirous of meeting with some of 
his descendants. The impressions of my youth were, 
that he was a mighty chieftain, before whom every savage 
band fled, and every fortress submitted. An elderly man 
very shabbily dressed was walking on the plain. His 
figure might pass for heroical, and his step was that of a 
disciplined soldier. 'Tis not difficult to distinguish a vet- 
eran from a militia man. One has a firm step and a 
lofty bearing ; and crosses the street at right angles, or 
with an oblique tread with his face forward ; the other 
has a tripping, straggling gait and fidgety shake. I put 
myself in his way, and soon entered upon inquiry respect- 
ing the country. This led to a free communication on 
his part, and he seemed to be gratified with the attention 
of a stranger. The territory of his ancestors, he said 
was very extensive, but misfortunes had left their descen- 
dants little more than the recollection of what it was. If 
however the estate of his father did not secure to him 
a competency, his own good and respectable children 
kept him from want. The first favoured lot of age is, to 
retain its powers undecayed ; the next is his, who is sen- 
sible of their decay, and diffident of their exertion, says 
the author of the Man of Feeling, Wm. McKenzie. 

The land hereabout is fertile and cheap. We were of- 
fered a good farm, with requisite buildings for four dollars 
an acre. A disposition to roam so prevalent among the 
young men, is however a great preventive of improve- 
ment in agriculture. A restless propensity for enterprise, 
among the men, keeps them looking forward to some- 
6 



62 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

thing better, and, like the Israelites about to leave Egypt, 
to stand '' with their loins girt and their staves in their 
hands." 

A taste for foreign luxuries among the women, is no 
less detrimental to domestic economy. Conteniedness 
belongs exclusively to a stationary people, and it is the 
substitute for contentedness found in the hereditary ten- 
ures of Europe, that has advanced rural economy gener- 
ally, and made England in particular such a lovely gar- 
den. 

In Canada every peasant has a fund in reserve, saved 
from his annual income ; and however small that income 
may be, a tythe is laid by for a rainy day, and old age. 
The Greeks, says an intelligent traveller, indulge a piti- 
ful vanity — wear ermine, velvet, &c. — and say " it is bet- 
ter to live like a prince one year, than to exist fifty like a 
beggar." In Turkey a Greek knows his head is liable 
to be cut off any day, without his asking why ? We like- 
wise forget the future, and live as though we were al- 
ways to be 3^oung and prosperous. 

Traders grow rich, and by no unfair means, if it be 
not unfair to encourage, or to let a man run up an ac- 
count, till security must be made by a mortgage of his 
farm ; and finally, by an accumulated interest that eats 
down his oak trees, undermines his house, and ousts the 
owner. How much of this debt is to be carried to the 
account of strong drink, cannot be well ascertained. 
Some part of it must be charged to expense of lawsuits, 
for litigation is resorted to as the common appendage to 
the business of the trader, while the debtor continues the 
suit as long as law will allow, and lawyers will plead. A 
trader's establishment in the interior, is intermediate be- 
tween the wholesale merchant of the sea port, and the 
scattered population of the country. From the same 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 63 

source the farmer draws those commodities, which he 
must otherwise want, or wait for, till winter brings leisure, 
and a canal of snow, to enable him to accomplish a jour- 
ney from home. The trader thus finds a sale for his 
goods, and collects in return in small quantities daily, a 
cargo for the merchant's ship, and maintains his own cred- 
it. But it must be obvious, that the manner in which 
this traffic is frequently conducted, is injurious to both 
parties, impairing the honorable integrity of the one, and 
the independence of the other. Coin has the peculiar 
virtue of attaching the owner to its possession and reten- 
tion. It is a pledge of independence ; and the man with 
a clear shilling in his pocket, has a higher sense of self 
respect, the underpinning of morals, than he who has a 
thousand guineas in his pocket liable to the touch of his 
creditor. The debtor who is sued, neglects no op- 
portunity of injuring his creditor, and the trader, af- 
ter growing nominally rich from the imprudence of the 
farmer, finds it necessary to remove from the neighborhood 
of those who are ever willing to attribute to others, mis- 
fortunes which they brought on themselves. 

Mr. C. informed me that during the haying season, he 
retailed sixty barrels of spirits, in his small settlement ; 
and likewise that he was sued in one year on fifty-four 
complaints for a breach of the license act — 50 of which 
he defeated, and four only, remained undicided. 

From one general principle proceeds the love, of the 
law, of political and religious discussion. Men desire to 
be in action, and in action that promises victory over an 
antagonist. Were the contest confined to hunger and the 
means of supply, some indulgence might be allowed ; the 
forbidden shew-bread must be yielded to necessity ; but un- 
happily, a desire of profit on the part of the seller ; and a 
wish of immediate gratification on the part of the buyer. 



64 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

blind both to inevitable consequences. The daughter 
trusts that her hens will lay as many eggs, and her onion 
bed produce as many onions, and sell for as great a sum 
as they did last year, and therefore she may anticipate 
the sale, and take up from the shop, those beautiful feath- 
ers ; those tortoise-shell combs ; that charming sprigged 
muslin and that leghorn bonnet, which are all the fashion 
in the capital. Besides, this is exactly the way in which 
her cousin Oliphant, now the wife of a Boston merchant, 
furnishes herself with the newest fashions and the most 
costly articles. And though Mr. Oliphant frequently re- 
monstrates against her taking any credit, especially at a 
fashionable milliner's, shoe-maker's or cheap variety-shop, 
at 50 per cent, advance, and yet she heeds not his ad- 
monition ; and so long as people have confidence in the 
solvency of her husband, so long they answer all her or- 
ders. " Why should she not adopt the same method, as 
she is to pay the bills from her own stock?" But this is 
not all. The account once opened, the whole family 
soon learn the way to the shop ; become acquainted with, 
and feel a desire for many articles which they otherwise 
would not have wanted nor have thought of-.— father's ac- 
count rapidly swells to a far greater amount than his year- 
ly income, and bankruptcy is the consequence. And bank- 
ruptcy in the country never enriches the bankrupt, what- 
ever it may do in the city. In the country it usually makes 
men modest, retired, snug, economical and active, and 
showing by their manners and mode of living, that they 
regard public opinion, and sedulously avoid every thing 
which has a tendency to elicit unfavourable remarks, or to 
do violence to the feelings of those whom they have made 
to suffer. 

The word tasie is much used by^our acquaintances the 
Grimshaws; with them however it has no reference to 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 6^ 

arts, literature or sensibility, but to mode of living only. 
But even in these they seem not to be aware that it con- 
sists in the combination of the useful and elegant. Mag- 
nificence has here no place, and wealth is not absolutely 
requisite. It exhibits nothing but what is perfectly con- 
sistent with moderate fortune, and the station we hold in 
society. Poverty cannot take away its propriety, and 
wealth cannot diminish or increase its simplicity. It 
presents a face of cheerful independence that depends on 
no fortuitous sunshine — an independence that is real, be- 
cause it springs from a conscious rectitude of intention, 
and a happy execution of duty. 

A great change has taken place throughout the coun- 
try in the consumption of ardent spirits, and nothing af- 
fords better evidence of the progress of truth, brought 
home to every man, by physical demonstrations of the in- 
evitable consequences or error in living, than the success 
of those strenuous efforts, at first of individuals, and then 
of associations, in propagating principles and superintend- 
ing the means of abating intemperance. 

The three learned professions set themselves earnestly 
to work, to encounter this raging and increasing pest 
which threatened destruction to all sobriety ; the divine 
by his morality ; the jurist by his law, and the Physician 
by his physiological demonstrations. The tendency of 
intemperance to the utter prostration of all capacity for 
sensual enjoyment, shown even to the most ignorant by 
men in whose science and skill they had confidence, had 
an effect, where threats of punishment or final destruc- 
tion failed to restrain or reform. It is thus that philoso- 
phy finally triumphs over ignorance, the mother of all vice; 
it is thus that moral, religious and benevolent men, by 
combining in the cause of virtue, awaken the thoughtless 
to the use of reason, and effect a reformation in society. 
6* 



66 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

Though many affected at first to ridicule the associations, 
as the mere enthusiastic engaged in a hopeless undertak- 
ing, no sooner had the lovers of order and good morals an- 
nounced their intention to enlist in this crusade against a 
vice that threatened to ruin the character of the country, 
than ridicule was converted into respect for the men who 
had undertaken so arduous a task. The success of these 
efforts proves that whei:e the great current of public opin- 
ion is made to set, every side rilt will be drawn into its 
channel, and augment its force. The shame attendant on 
drunkenness, has banished it from good, and from fash- 
ionable society, and fashionable society makes a precedent 
and extends its influence to the remotest dregs of the vul- 
gar tvould be genteel, from its high carricature of the 
woman of fashion, soon yields to the modest dress of the 
well-bred gentlewoman. 

At the tavern in Middlebury in Vermont, I was not a 
little surprised at the quietness of the house during my 
residence of a whole week. In most towns the tavern 
is the rendezvous of the idle, the dissipated and dissolute ; 
here, it was free from all gambling and drinking. The 
seats of the Bar-room were every evening occupied by 
some of the fathers of the town. The novelty of this re- 
verse of character, induced me to inquire if there was 
any peculiarity in their municipal regulations. Judge Chip- 
man and Squire Painter, two of the oldest of the original 
settlers, answered my questions. I learned that after the 
termination of the revolutionary war, they explored the 
country, and finding this a suitable place for the erection 
of mills and the establishment of a town, they obtained a 
grant, and proceeded with a few families, to make a 
settlement. From their knowledge of men, and their ex- 
perience in business, they determined to profit by their 
sagacity in the selection of future inhabitants. Great em- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 67 

igrations from the old States were then taking place. 
Some would pay for the land, and many wanted credit. 
All passed in review. Those who had the *' right marks" 
were not suffered to pass on. Land they should have al- 
most on their own terms. Those who " had not the 
right marks " were advised to proceed. From such a 
stock we expected industry, economy and enterprise, and 
the continued good order of our town has never been inter- 
rupted by a single lazy or drunken man. " Why you see 
us at the tavern, may be accounted for, I suppose, or you 
may go away with erroneous impressions. By making 
the Bar-room our exchange, people of business know 
where to find us together. This our practice is likewise 
a check on visitants that misrht be inclined to indiscre- 
tions, and thus set bad examples to our youth. And final- 
ly by encouraging our young men to meet with us and 
join in our conversation without restraint, they become 
acquainted with our methods of business, and derive, we 
presume, no small advantage from our knowledge and ex- 
perience. Not to tax our Landlord however, we regular- 
ly deposit a trifle on the table, though we neither drink 
nor smoke." 

" Another benefit has resulted from this practice of 
frequenting the tavern," said Mr. P., " disputes are re- 
ferred to our really civil tribunal. Lawsuits for trifles, 
are unknown, and as for street broils, they never occur. 
This latter circumstance, however, is as general a char- 
acteristic of New-England men, as is that of a fondness 
for litigation." 

This war of words, is not so bad as a war of swords. 
As men in a social and civilized state are necessarily lia- 
ble to contentions, our wise ancestors designated the are- 
na, ordained rules for the lists, determined on the periods, 
when and where ; instead of entering as gladiators, as 



68 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

knights of the rQund table; as claimants of the right of 
trial by battle, or as community against community in 
deadly array in the open field, and all for the purpose of 
settling disputes by the removal of one of the parties by 
death — they might expend their passions in harmless 
though windy words. • The substitute for the brutal per- 
sonal combat, though productive of much litigation, so 
far from lessening the courage, has a strong tendency to 
make man strenuous in the defence of his rights. The 
men of New-England are brave in actual danger, but by 
no means quarrelsome ; even their sailors are less quar- 
relsome than those of other nations, and never provoke a 
battle merely to acquire the victory, or the character of a 
Bravo. The general diffusion of the knowledge of the 
laws, and the care with which they are applied, cause the 
people in most cases, to resort to that remedy for inju- 
ries. 

The first great school of men is the world in which 
they live. All seminaries from the infantile to the man- 
ly ; from the rudimental to the finished, are but auxiliary 
and subordinate to this. The next are the practical in- 
stitutions, whence the great principles result in the course 
of example and experience, without being directly 
taught. 

Oral communication was once the only method of in- 
struction. Without letters men grow wise by observa- 
tion, and whatever additional power letters and the art of 
printing confer, the advantages in most countries are re- 
stricted to a ^ew; in N. E. they are accessible to men of 
all conditions. That must be an elevated auditor who 
can examine into the truth or falsehood of every proposi- 
tion ; collate evidence ; balance arguments ; draw legit- 
imate conclusions ; establish opinions, and fix on a ra- 
tional foundation, a certain judgment with respect to 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 69 

the two great concerns of all social communities, politics 
and religion ; but for these subjects he must derive in- 
struction, and he derives it from the very circumstance 
of his social relations. The schools have enabled him to 
read ; the institutions have compelled him to think ; the 
interchange and collision of opinions, have corrected and 
established his judgment, the consciousness of his own 
weight in society expands his self-love into social feelings, 
and even when submitting to passion or vice, he feels 
the check and influence of public opinion ; hence the 
moral atmosphere in which" he lives has an irresistible in- 
fluence on his character. 

However poor or rich, ignorant or learned, every man 
is a participient of the business and concerns of the little 
community of which he is a member, and has likewise 
an interest, and exercises a power, in the state and nation- 
al government. 

The division of the country, into states, counties, towns, 
and parishes, renders the assemblage of the people fre- 
quent. Every citizen has an immediate interest in the 
assessments of a parish, the election of a minister, the buil- 
ding of a church, the establishment of free schools. Ev- 
ery town assembles its inhabitants to consider and decide 
on all projects of improvement, on all taxes and expendu^ 
tures, to scrutinize the proceedings and accounts of its 
agents, to elect definitively, its representatives in the mu- 
nicipality, and in the General Legislature, and conjointly 
with other towns the Governor and Senators ; the mem- 
bers of Congress, and the President of the United States. 

Every Country has its more select assemblies, and its 
Courts Laws are expounded, and cases argued before Ju- 
rors and Witnesses, and a multitude of attendants. 

Every State has its annual election meetings ; its fre- 
quent assemblies to examine and discuss the qualifications 



70 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

of candidates, and every man reads newspapers and pam- 
phlets, all which prepare him to form his opinion on all 
the subjects which come before any of their^ assem- 
blies. 

As on public affairs he has abundant means of learning 
to form correct opinions, so with respect to religion, there 
is no want of opportunity to be rightly informed. 

From the first settlement of the country, religious dis- 
cussions have been prevalent, and seldom has an age 
been free from controversies that sometimes produced a 
tempory agitation, and sometimes engrossed the entire 
attention of the people during a greater part of one genera- 
tion. 

If such discussions become, as they frequently do, un- 
charitable, they create thought, and he who thinks on 
religious and moral subjects, cannot fail of assenting to 
the existence of some good principles, the observance of 
which, contribute to his happiness ; and he who is made 
to hesitate in the career of vice or infidelity, in becom- 
ing sceptical of their eflScacy, wants only a touch from 
the magnet of truth to stop his oscillations, and direct 
his course. 

That infidelity has extensively prevailed among the ig- 
norant, cannot be questioned ; nor that the example of 
men of education, and of gentlemen has had some influ- 
ence. 

When every dissent from the assembly's catechism was 
deemed heresy, the educated rejected doctrines which 
they deemed not corresponding to that aspect of benevo- 
lence which is universally apparent. But when liberal 
and enlightened men ventured to call in question, popu- 
lar and hereditary doctrines ; when clouds of mysteries 
began to be lifted from the ark of truth ; when the rub- 
bish , of visionaries and of metaphysical cobwebs were 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 71 

swept off; when new arguments were presented to the 
mind, and the heart was approached through the under- 
standing ; when a rational system was found to emanate 
from the gospel ; when men were shown in the doctrines, 
in the character and the example of Jesus Christ, the 
perfect model of moral virtue, such as antiquity sought 
for, but could not find ; when, like Sir J. Reynolds, who 
at first saw no beauty in Raphael, yet, who at length 
by long contemplation, understood the character, and 
rose to a full conception of the superlative excellence of 
the painting ; when they felt the dormant spark of piety 
kindle in their breasts, by such contemplations the snow 
of indifference melted away, and the warm and genial 
rays of a mild, animating and satisfying religion diffused 
themselves, and operated on the whole character and 
life, and fostered that beneficent spirit which now distin- 
guishes the wise and good. 

Thus has been removed all pretence of the ignorant of 
following the example of their betters, for it is now as un- 
fashionable to affect disbelief, as it is to be barbarous or 
rude. 

Exceptions occur, which come within the scope of Sir 
Humphrey Davy's remarks, " that education in great cit- 
ies, forced on the population, in all that regards science, 
must be superficial, in consequence of which some be- 
come idle and conceited, and above their usual occupa- 
tions, scepticism and discontent with the order of things 
follow. Whereas in Scotland, education is sought for, 
as a distinct object of interest or freedom." The excep- 
tionable class however, in this country, is small; yet when 
one is removed from the control of that public opinion 
which suppresses the corruption of character, he becomes 
in the country a great nuisance. Such a case happened 
in one of the towns through which we passed, and as 



72 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

that town has an item of ancient history among its tra- 
ditions, it may be worth noting. 

There was no great gulf between Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire, so that the ladies of former days might 
easily pass to the arms of their beloved. There was no 
crabbed ferryman to resist all importuners who had not 
the golden branch, nor was there any chance of rescue, 
as at Gretna Green — but there was a line of division as 
impassable as the boundary of both States could make it. 
A great stone marked with mystic characters, projected 
at one corner of the road, and whoever escaped encoun- 
tering this without being overturned, was in two minutes 
beyond the reach of Massachusetts law ; but whoever was 
upset, instead of being married, was liable to he seized 
by the Sheriff, and remanded to durance vile. 

The Clergyman's house was divided by the boundary 
line of the two states, so that the father and mother might 
be in one room, remonstrating and protesting against the 
marriage, while the happy couple stood in the other room, 
and in the sight of the parents receiving the benediction, 
and exchanging the wedding ring, according to law. 

Many a gay pair were thus united, but the union of the 
States, rendered the practice unnecessary. 

Many a pleasant tale used to be told concering these 
stolen matches, and many a sad one has drawn tears from 
sympathetic eyes. 

Since these things were common, a Clergyman resided 
in this house ; and whose parishioners and acquaintance 
cherish his memory with uncommon respect. Not think- 
ing any system infallible, he adhered to the apostolic 
faith, and cultivated a cheerful rather than a gloomy the- 
ology. 

He was a man of great erudition, an elegant classical 
scholar ; a wit, a subdued humorist, possessed great con- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIJPISEOGEE. 73 

versational talents, and diffused cheerfulness and happi- 
ness, not only through his own house, but through the 
families of all his parish. By his industry and economy 
he had become owner of a small farm. In haying 
time the people of the Parish came and mowed the 
grass, made the hay, and put it into his barn. After a 
few years had thus harmoniously passed, a certain super- 
ficial and conceited citizen took up his residence in the 
parish. Such new comers are frequently disturbers of 
the peace of individuals, if not of the public; they know 
more than the poor country people, they understood poli- 
cy and the theory of government, they have heard speech- 
es in town meetings and caucuses, they have even taken 
part in debating clubs ; they have approached greatness, 
as they have eaten at the same table in the hall with Sen- 
ator Lancelot and 

Among the improvements, the citizen suggested the 
abolition of slavery — not the African, but the Clerical sla- 
very to which the innocent people were subjected. He 
wondered they had so long submitted to taxes for the sup- 
port of a rich clergyman. In short, he made such im- 
pressions, that operations under his directions were com- 
menced — at first with great caution. The first attack 
was on the out-works, and by merely withdrawing part 
of the annual assistance they had given the Parson in 
haying time. They accordingly appeared as usual, but 
instead of tending and carrying in the hay, they cut the 
grass and left it, observing that the Parson was rich 
enough to hire men to finish it, or make his ojvn improve- 
ment. The next sabbath the minister went throuirh the 
usual exercises, and then after naming the text, closed 
the book, observing he left it to them to make the improve- 
ment, as they had undoubtedly grown able to do without 
his assistance. They took the reproof, and never after 
omitted the hay. 7 



74 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

We now took a S. E. course, determining to land and 
pass the night at Tufionborough or Wolfeborough. After 
a pleasant passage we arrived at noon at the former place. 
Here we found a party who had been making a slow and 
rambling progress towards the White Hills. They were 
from the South, and seemed to b6 tired of journeying 
over hills and rocks. Some of the young men were evi- 
dently out of humour. Two of them appeared to be too 
reckless to disguise their feelings, even from us strangers, 
for after dinner and the departure of the ladies, two 
Pennsylvanians, Charles Marvel and Robert Miller, be- 
gan rather a fierce altercation, about affairs in which we 
had no concern. "I toll you what, Charles," said Rob- 
ert, " I have freely owned that my afiections have been 
strongly inclined towards Celia Howard. She has beau- 
ty, good temper, understanding ; but then I am not so 
dull as to forget that the two first are contingencies, and 
though I like the girl, she discloses every now and then, 
propensities that will not suit my finances, my business, 
my station, nor my ideas of domestic happiness. Gold 
watches, gold chains, and splendid habilaments, are in- 
dications of wealth, and when assumed for fashion's sake 
only, without the means of continual change and augmen- 
tation, show false colors. Where the expense cannot be 
continued after marriage, the pride of woman is mortified 
and the affections of men are cooled or suppressed. Thus 
for real trifles, the calm dignity of a contented mind and 
a happy establishment, are converted into chagrin and 
discontent. For even good understandings are pervaded 
by the omnipotency of fashion." " Then discontinue 
your civilities," said Charles, *^ or you may be forced to 
sacrifice happiness to honour " — '' That you may reap 
the benefit." Ha, Ha, Ha! — 

At WolfeborouEjh we again encountered our wise boat- 



EXCURSION TO VVINNIPISEOGEE. 75 

man. He was, he said, conducting a raft of timber de- 
signed to be landed at the east end of the Lake, and then 
to be conveyed by land to Portsmouth. He had, he said, 
furnished timber and laborers, for some of the public 
works in Boston during the mayorship of Mr. Quincy, and 
spoke in the highest terms of the urbanity of that gentle- 
man, and of the extent and grandeur of his views. But 
you know, said he, that the new revolutionary wheel is 
dragged up hill with great difficulty ; when it has sur- 
mounted the top, it descends with vast rapidity ; tearing 
up the old roads, tumbling down the stone walls, and 
making horrid destruction, till it arrives at, and some- 
times moves along the level plain ; but when its first im- 
petus is expended it may be approached with safety, and 
become the most useful of engines. Cities and Towns, 
as well as States and nations are liable to such concus- 
sions. My Cousin Daniel who lives in Boston, enter- 
tains us, when he comes home to Thanksgiving, with an 
account of your turns and overturns, dilapidations and 
improvements, since old Boston has been elevated to the 
dignity of a city. At first, he says it was a rage — a 
commotion — a fever ; but has now subsided, for — 

" Now comes the reckoning, when tlie banquet is o'er, 
The dreadful reckoning, and men smile no more." 

" I learn from him of no abatement of popular jealousy, 
or of struggles to possess power. Mayor duincy is ac- 
cused of encumbering the city with a debt, which must 
enslave future generations. How absurd ! future genera- 
tions will enjoy more of the benefit, than the present, and 
it is right they should pay a proportion of the expense. — 
Daily waste should be paid for by the consumer, but per- 
manent structures should always descend with the incum- 
brance of a part of the cost. You have nothing to blame 
your Mayor for, unless it be .for undertaking too much at 



76 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

once. Without ardour, or enthusiasm, enterprise would 
fail. His views were large and noble ; his plans judi- 
cious, his adoption of the projects of improvements of- 
fered by others, ready and free from jealousy ; his capacity 
for business almost without a parallel, and his industry 
remarkable. He might have involved your city in too 
heavy a debt, had your council not checked him a little ; 
but subsequent councils got alarmed, and instead of res- 
training him with an easy bridle, put a double bit and curb 
on his head, and then added fetters to his feet, render- 
ing it impossible for him to leap, scarcely able to trot, and 
very inconvenient even to hobble. All this proceeds from 
selfish, or narrow and local views, which always prevail 
in such councils as you have, where many want to govern, 
and often, if they cannot govern, will embarrass. Where 
councils fluctuate, there is no permanency of principle ; 
temporary expedients supercede system, and system alone 
can unite the present with the future, on subjects that will 
be equally beneficial to both." As a general principle, I a- 
gree with the Virginians respecting public men, " apologise 
for their errors of judgment, and defend them if injured." 
Though we had made many fatiguing excursions by day 
we were resolved to encamp on the eminence, on which 
the young lady before mentioned experienced so much 
pleasure. It lay not far out of the road to Plymouth, and 
we arrived at the foot of the hill, just on the edge of eve- 
ning. In broad day-light, nature seems to be in haste to 
perform her day-task ; fervour pervades the atmosphere 
and stimulates vegetation into audible movements ; the 
forest impatiently pushes up its branches ; the flowers 
and the grass spread upward ; the wind whips the waters 
into chaffing. In the night, '' when man falleth into deep 
sleep," and all nature is in repose, he attempts to grasp at 
something real, but every thing is floating in space. He 
looks abroad, all is silent, calm and impressive. He seems 



EXCURSIOIsr TO WIN.VIPISEOGEE. 77 

Stand on earth in the midst of waters. Transient gleams 
of light glancing from the lake, play on the flickering 
leaves of the forest trees ; dark caverns ajDpear between 
masses of dense woods ; light steps over these, and leaps 
on the bald peaks that approach the clouds, gradually the 
rays slide down the western side, vast vallies of darkness 
are for a moment encanopied with light, which soon gain- 
ing a suflicient height, fall instantly below ; long shadows 
of horns stretch before on the meadow, then shorter, and 
the head of the recumbent ox appears resting on his 
nether hoof The moon beams, checked by dark masses 
of distant woods, seem to halt, like waters intercepted by 
a dike, till flowing over the edge, they drop into the bos- 
om of the wood, and fill the whole scene with a flood of 
light. Man is silent, but nature is active within ; the 
pulsation of the heart is quickened by emotions of the 
soul filled with serene sensibility to the moral sublimity 
of nature; yet he feels as of the earth, earthly and insig- 
nificant. Something like this we felt while watching the 
moon's advance, gradually throwing light, and calling 
into life objects that were a few moments before buried 
in oblivion. 

We remained on the hill almost unconscious of the pas- 
sage of time. The whole scene was soft and beautiful. 
The surface of the lake was smooth and silvery, reflect- 
ing the moon and stars and the high trees which hang 
over the projecting points ; the eye was in constant ex- 
ercise, yet not distracted by too great a variety of objects. 
The occasional tinkling of cow bells from the woods, as- 
sumed a sweet and melancholy tone, as they fell on the 
ear. The associating faculty was busy, and we could not 
help imagining how pleasing would be the effect, in such 
a scene and time, if the chiming of a multitude of distant 
bells "swinging slow, with solemn roar, over this wide 
watered shore." 7* 



78 EXCURSION TO WliVxVIPISEOGEE. 

The bells of the city produce no peculiarly agreeable 
sensation, when heard in the streets ; but to a person el- 
evated on a remote eminence, above the noise of this low- 
er world, where the breaks and stops of the different ring- 
ers do not intrude, the harmony of mingled sounds 13 
perceptible. Like the rays of light, the rays of music seem 
to approximate a common centre at a great height — to lose 
all their discordancy — to blend and produce a melody pe- 
culiarly sweet. I sometimes think that there is great af- 
fectation among amateurs. But where there is no temp- 
tation for display, the natural sensations will prevail. — 
We were all silent, but it was the silence of intense feel- 
ing, when the sounds of distant music made us stretch 
our heads towards the points from which they came. Oar 
minds were in perfect accordance with the scene around 
us. Shut out from objects which divide and distract, a 
single one was sufficient to absorb all our attention. As 
the music drew near, the points whence it came seemed 
to multiply. It now glided smoothly and whisperingly 
from trees and forest, here and there making a melan- 
choly echo, among the declivities and caverns ; and now 
leaped from hill to hill, spread over the surface of the lake, 
and ascended to our station. Every thing around seemed to 
be getting into motion, when the instrument ceased play- 
ing, and the human voice only was heard. But the ces- 
sation only served to increase our delight, and by again 
uniting, showed how the power of music is exalted by the 
blended strains of natural and scientific notes. 

Milton himself, the most perfect of poetic harmonists re- 
quires '' the full-voiced choir below" as a necessary ac- 
companiment to the " pealing organ." We perceived a 
boat approaching, and were soon saluted by a choir of vil- 
lage singers in full chorus. Dr. M. and Counsellor J. had 
contrived this entertainment, for the double purpose of 



EXCURSION TO AVINNIPISEOGEE. 79 

gratifying several of their young friends with the enjoy- 
ment of a moon-light sail, and of surprising us strangers, 
with what they supposed would be a novel species of a- 
musement. And truly it was as new, as it was delightful. 
Almost suppressing our breathing, to catch without inter- 
ruption, the melodious strains which came floating through 
the air, animating the hills and woods, thought was ex- 
cluded and sensation only prevailed.* 

If such perfect abstraction could be obtained at con- 
certs, would not the effect of the music be increased ? 
Abate the exercise of all the other senses, and is not that 
of hearing rendered more exquisitely susceptible of the mel- 
ody of vocal or instrumental music ? Is it not almost 
impossible to abstract our attention from impertinent ob- 
jects ; from the skill of the singers in touching the keys ; 
the flexure of the arms and body accompanying the move- 
ment of the bow, or from the evident disposition for display, 
visible in the affectation of feeling, or the contortions and 
grimaces, or the conversation of fine eyes, inviting smiles, 
or expectations of applause in the singer who is the object 
of observance, either in the orchestra, or in the church? 

On returning to our lodgings we found it deserted by 
most of the company we left there. Some had gone to 



* Invitation to the Concert of a female singer. 
" Eustig, tomorrow, if the world permit, 
We'll fill some corner of the ample Pit, 
And listening to the Siren of the Stage, 
Lose the remembrance of our busy age ; 
"Rapt in deliglit of her melodious strain, 
Forgot of life, the interest and the pain. 
On life's dry desert, snatching as we pass. 

One breathing moment on a tuft of grass ! 

To warm our bosoms we require no wine, 

Mortal forgetting, we become divine ! 

Of pleasure's cup unlimited we drink, 

Nor of the future, nor departed, think. 

Absorbed in bliss — long may the concert last, 

Unclogged with what is coming — what has passed!" 

Z. 



80 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

the White Hills ; some to the east end of the lake in or- 
der to visit Dover, and four had gone to spend a few 
days in a nearer neighbourhood to Squam Lake. This 
defection was soon repaired by other arrivals, among whom 
was a newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. W. The la- 
dy is the daughter of a poet, and sister of an eminent 
scholar ; therefore we were not unreasonable in expecting 
to find in her conversation, some of the qualities of both. 
Tom, whose musical talents had not been in requisition 
for 24 hours, and who had more than once been heard to 
soliloquize on paucity of taste, (repeating, '^ The wren doth 
sing as sweetly as the lark, when neither is attended. 
And I think the nightingale, were she to sing by day, 
when every goose is cackling, would be thought no better 
a musician than the wren,") and who had been frost bit- 
ten for some time, now had his tongue thawed. The 
gentleman was talkative, and the lady made for travelling; 
she was at home in half an hour, and without any effort, 
became as it were, an old acquaintance with every body 
in the house. The female coterie was of the right num- 
ber, three : Two are dull, four or five interfere, and 
interrupt each other ; some confusion likewise arises, 
from a desire in one or two, to exhibit an emphatic arm, 
a set of poetic teeth, a persuasive lip, a seducing smile, 
some personal or mental accomplishment, or too strong 
and forward a desire to contribute to the amusement of 
the company. It is not always that we meet with stran- 
gers of education, willing to dispense their mental wealth 
without a long acquaintance with their casual associates ; 
but when they engage in the commerce of conversation, 
the interchange is brisk : so said a gentleman, and so we 
found it. *' I declare, " said a southern traveller, ''these 
Yankee girls are vastly sharp and shrewd." — Yes, sir, and 
you will find as you become acquainted, that they possess 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 81 

Strong reasoning minds, even where they have not had the 
advantage of much modern instruction ; but where a prop- 
per cultivation has been given, few exceed them in apti- 
tude either in the application of the brilliant colours of 
imagination, or in the sedate expansion of good sense. 
They are not furnished, to be sure, with all the nicknack- 
ery of city or boarding school education, but with a great 
deal of useful knowledge. They cannot bring into con- 
versation the titles of all the new novels, but you will find 
them on further acquaintance to be, as the divines say, 
well grounded in the solid writings of the great authors 
of the past and present age. They lose nothing, but 
rather gain, by their remoteness from circulating libraries, 
for, limited to a ^e\v authors, they read them over, and 
over again, till the matter, as Dr. Johnson says, " is con- 
cocted and the essence enters into the marrow." Princi- 
ples are adopted, which have stood the test of experience. 
Critical acumen is acquired, and taste perfected. The 
solid, or fine thoughts, the peculiarities and beauties of 
style are all noticed, and characterized by a discriminat- 
ing judgment. And to these which have afforded so 
much exercise to the mind, they can return with as much 
delight, as the great actor said he did to Shakspeare, 
who, during a study of twenty years, discloses new beau- 
ties on every daily perusal. 

Those who devour books, acquire a taste for variety 
and stimulants only. Shakspeare and Milton, and all 
the old authors are, with them, unintelligible or tedious. 
They want subjects for conversation, or rather for gossip 
and chit-chat ; these swim on the surface. Those who 
have no access to the running books of the day, are free 
from temptation. They drink at the fountain, not at the 
soda shop. They bathe in the deep river, and not in the 
shallow though smooth canal. Standard works, both an« 



82 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGE E. 

cient and modern, are read by them till every passage is fa- 
miliar, every beauty developed, every proposition examin- 
ed, till they are fully possessed of the spirit and genius 
of the author, and sensible of the " thoughts that breathe, 
and words that burn." If the classic scholar returns 
with delight to his Virgil or his Cicero; if the musician 
continues to be enraptured with the same song or tune af- 
ter a thousand repetitions ; the real lover of literature 
will equally enjoy the improving, undissipating seclusion 
of the country, where he can give his heart and soul to 
the contemplation of passages, where great minds have 
concentrated imperishable truths, and expressions that 
charm the sense, fill the imagination, enlarge the mind, 
and cherish and improve the affections of the heart. 

''But you must allow," said the gentleman, " that in 
all sciences, and even in general literature, modern works 
are to be preferred, where both cannot be had ; and were 
all the ancients to be lost, all their original ideas would 
survive, since modern literature repeats with improvement 
all that was said before. For this reason, I would re- 
verse the order of study, and ascend through the present 
to the past, as we trace a stream to its source. In Phi- 
losophy, Morality and History, this is the most proper 
method. The chart of science and of mind, like that of 
Geography, must be very imperfect for want of experience 
and extent of country to survey. The ancients had no 
explorers of human passion, to delineate like the moderns, 
every fold and intricacy of the human heart, and to give 
not only the exterior character, but the source, the prog- 
ress, the working and the termination, of each and all the 
passions, as they operate and affect individuals, or in so- 
ciety — or private life — or in national concerns." 

"Admitting," continued the gentleman, "all which 
you and the Roman Orators have alleged, regarding the 
durable pleasures of literature; and even that deeper and 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 83 

more intense attention may be given to studies in seclu- 
sion, yet I think the living comments of the world, the 
collision of opinions, and the vivid discussion on all sub- 
jects of which we read, give the mind an elasticity, which 
it cannot acquire, and so well preserve, as in the sportive 
or manly exercises of the social Gymnasium. And for 
man, I am sure, these purposes are almost exclusively to 
be fulfilled in cities. The brightest scholars lose their 
lustre in the shades of retirement, they lose their energy 
for want of that nourishment which the city affords." To 
know how the world goes, we must not only have access 
to libraries, cabinets, the galleries of artists, public spec- 
tacles, and foreigners of intelligence ; but we must watch 
the revolutions of opinions, and trace the slow growth of 
truth, from its first germination in the mind of the philos- 
opher, to its complete expansion under the potent influ- 
ence of some popular geniuses. In fact, daily communi- 
cation with the active world, and all that belongs to it, 
with an interchange of thought on every subject of our 
observation, is the only means by which studies can be 
rendered useful, and these cannot be had in the spare 
population of the country." 

Real learning is shown judiciously, only by results ; the 
dullest of all society is a recluse and absorbed author. I 
was once shut up six ^yeeks in a cabin with one. The 
person was present, but the soul was not with me. Every 
remark was forced ; every proposition assented to. This 
1 thought was too bad ; give me opposition, give me a 
flow of sentiment, observation, wit, or even levity. — 
Every thing I see of genius, reconciles me to talkative 
ignorance ; this has novelty, character, original nature, 
feeling, aptitude. Living conversation is better than that 
which is reported of the dead. The principal interest 
from reported conversation, arises not so much from the 



84 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

facts themselves, as from the agreeable dress in which 
they are presented by the fancy of the reporter. S. E. 
without an abundance of learning, and with very little 
compass of imagination, has an aptitude in seizing on the 
merest trifle, decorating it with prismatic colors, tossing 
it into the air, and bandying it about with the elastic 
spring'of untired sportiveness. Conversation in most com- 
panies is frequently heavy and common-place ; or it is 
meant to be argumentative and scientific. An intermix- 
ture by way of parenthesis, makes an agreeable variety, 
but dissertation should be adjourned to the lecture room. 
Men go into company to relax and recreate their minds; 
they may be disgusted with frivolity, but they will hate 
pedantry. In the city, D. was generally meditative. P. 
seemed always to be plumed with poetic feathers ; Dr. 
with classical allusions, happily applied, smart and apt. 
G. elucidated by science. L. S. and A. P. sprinkled 
jurisprudence. O. answered on commerce and finance. 
M. the general literature and speculation of the times — 
such made up a delightful evening party for conversation. 
There was no pause of intellect. To set down what was 
said would be to reduce the lively to dullness ; the hap- 
py narrative, to dry detail ; the just remark, to common- 
place, and every well timed witticism to stale jocularity. 
Medicine — Disease — Ariosto — Milton — Shakspeare — 
Qeiilis — Aqueducts— Treadwell— Greek tree— Dr. Popkins 

Oratory — James Otis — William Tudor — La Fayette — 

his poetical life — Romance of character — Waverley — 
What a variegated and brilliant picture would be given 
by one who possesses the happy faculty of sketching scenes 
of society, with all the lights and shades, the graceful col- 
ors, and accurate outline, which this group thus afford- 
ed ! 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 85 

*' This to be sure may belong to male society of the 
city, and why should women be unfurnished with the 
like resources ?" Many are, but it is to be feared that 
even among the best educated, and most highly accom- 
plished, the slavery to which fashion has reduced them, 
demands too great a sacrifice of time, and burdens them 
with such heavy tasks, that little leisure is afforded for 
other pursuits. 

Buonaparte, that unmerciful tyrant, yet gallant master 
of ceremonies, was the only man who could dictate to 
ladies on the art of dressing ; according to him, dress 
should never be the subject of meditation, but of action. 
And for this, instead of hours, minutes only should be em- 
ployed. Women living in cities therefore, in addition to 
the various other circumstances which dissipate attention 
to the solid mental culture which women of the country 
enjoy, have a great part of their time occupied for person- 
al decoration. *' This," said the gentleman, "reminds me 
of an affair at the springs, somewhat like a trial of strength 
arising from an accidental meeting of two accomplished 
young ladies, whose education had been conducted under 
very different circumstances. In all parties made up for 
summer excursions, there is generally some favorite ob- 
ject of attention. Sometimes a distinguished beauty is 
the magnet, till beauty alone becomes too insipid to excite 
admiration ; sometimes a dashing heroine drags the 
world at her chariot wheels, till her romantic exploits 
and boisterous career, fatigue curiosity itself; sometimes 
a wit, rather feared than beloved, serves to ariiuse and 
animate, what would otherwise be a dull company, and 
sometimes the party is fortunate in the possession of one, 
who is soon discovered under an unassuming exterior, to 
possess genius and talents, and a disposition to communi- 
cate liberally to the entertainment of her friends." 

8 



86 EXCURSION TO VVINNIPISEOGEE. 

" Two parties of well-bred and well-informed gentle- 
men and ladies, arrived at the Springs about the same 
time. One came from the metropolis of N. E. and one 
from the interior of Connecticut. A congeniality of feel- 
ing and sentiment, soon brought them into close intimacy, 
so that they became as one company of long established 
intimates and friends. A slight superiority of good sense ; 
a striking brilliancy of imagination ; a pleasantness of hu- 
mour ; an acuteness in observation ; a tact in the adap- 
tation of conversation to the humour of the company ; 
a sprightly wit ; or an artless simplicity with its careless 
bursts of genuine, natural naivete, — either is sure to make 
the possessor queen of the fairy ring. 

One lady in each party, was soon distinguished by the 
gentlemen, as having the supremacy, vi'here all appeared 
to be nearly equal. 

At table one day there was a discussion respecting a 
public and a private education, in which the ladies took a 
small part, leaving, of course, no want of sprightliness in 
the midst of profound sense. 

When the ladies had retired the subject was renewed 
with an especial reference to some of the females of their 
own company, as affording very fair examples of the merit 
of both systems. 

Col. B. strenuously maintained that the private educa- 
tion of Miss. C in the seclusion of the country, with 

very little intercourse with the literary world, and few 
opportunities of becoming acquainted with general society, 
or even with persons of either sex distinguished for their 
talents, was a circumstance more propitious to the devel- 
opment, and much more so to the perfect improvement 
of the faculties of her mind, than could be obtained from 
the most splendid education establishment, united with a 
long and extensive acquaintance with the world. 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 87 

Y . . . . on the contrary observed, that though he ad- 
mired the lady in question, and was not a little astonished 
at the novelty and justness of her remarks, he doubted 
very much if she could parallel the accomplished Miss 
L . . . ., vvho, in addition to her being a poet of the first 
order, and a general scholar, was polished and perfected 
by conversation and intercourse, with the most refined so- 
ciety in Europe and America. Their native powers 
might be equal ; but power must have materials on which 
to exert itself. The marble must be quarried ; this may 
be done by a laborer ; the image of man may be sketched 
by a savage ; but he must have viewed the human figure 
in all its variety of form and attitude, must have studied 
the exterior development of intellect, under all its various 
emotions, whether of heroic excitement, or deliberative 
grandeur — when the turn of a battle or the cast of a vote, 
is to obliterate, or exalt a nation, before he could, like 
Chantry, give to the block of marble that character of 
Washington, serene in dignity, and protective in influ- 
ence. Genius, without a wide range of associating prin- 
ciple, will be dormant. Ability to combine, may exist; 
an aptitude to receive impressions may exist ; but 
a limited sphere of observation, cannot supply that 
multifarious store of images, among which, a rich fancy 
delights to revel, and from which intuitively as it were, 
it selects the ilkistrations of those subjects on which it di^ 
lates ; uttering truths not only powerful in themselves, • 
but in terms so appropriate and perspicuous as to arrest 
attention, and delighting the imagination, by the beauties 
with which they are adorned, and by the novelty and 
skill by which a thousand sources both of nature and art, 
have been made tributary to the general effect." 

" Could the ladies be brought into a situation where 
some interesting subject might present itself, as it were 
casually, so that their powers should be called into action 



88 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

without either thinking it to be a design, as a trial of 
strength, we might form a more correct judgment re- 
specting the two modes of education." 

An opportunity soon offered. The conversation grad- 
ually advancing in interest, the gentlemen in order to re- 
move every obstruction to the free exercise of their re- 
spective talents, retired, yet secretly contrived to hear. 
The conversation was continued for a considerable time, 
with great spirit and intelligence, with great sweetness of 
manner, and plain, yet choice and elegant expressions. 
The gentlemen from the specimen came to the conclusion 
that by different means, both had attained the highest in- 
tellectual improvement; possessed like endowments, and 
had they exchanged circumstances, each would have ob- 
tained the same point, and equality of excellence." 

What is the reason the pen moves over soft and thin 
Italian paper, which costs two hundred and fifty cents a 
ream, more easily than over these leaves of an old book 
that cost nothing, and have remained idle and useless for 
more than fifty years in the Inn-keeper's desk, for he had 
no other paper ? I have at home a score of half- blank 
books, some a century old, which would supply me with 
paper as many years, even were I, like some great au- 
thors, or some great extractors, to fill a sheet every even- 
ing. It will not be denied that this paper made fifty or 
sixty years ago from linen, is much stronger than the 
present fabric of sofi; and spongy cotton. Should this be 
doubted by the strenuous advocates for home-manufac- 
tures, we need only refer to public records, the paper of 
which is as tenacious as the unrolled papirus of Hercula- 
neum ; or to the printed volumes of the sixteenth and sev- 
enteenth centuries, which seem from their undecayability 
as well as from their ponderosity, to be destined for eter- 
nal duration j whether they attain it or not, is another 
question. 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 89 

There may be something very appalling to your imagi- 
nation, at the sight of a great bound book spread before 
you, ready, waiting to receive any impressions you may 
please to make upon its fair and innocent countenance. 
Perhaps the mind casts its eye back on the unimproved 
years of its existence ; on the generations through which 
it has travelled without bearing on its leaves, a single in- 
dication of the great and the wise ; the learned and the 
witty ; the elegant and accomplished, who have had it be- 
fore them, and thence you hesitate lest you should dese- 
crate with mean and idle thoughts, what so many before 
you have left untouched. Perhaps the durable quality of 
the paper is the cause of its rejection. You have noticed 
how much the ashes of the dead, has been disturbed by 
the revivification of memoranda, made while the writer 
was waiting for his boots, and left on the table to be 
brushed into the fire by the chamber-maid, whose ideas 
of the neatness and order required by every bachelor, 
would not suffer any incumbrance to remain in the room 
she honored with her superintendence. 

But alas! alas! these innocent memoranda fall into 
less careful hands. 

Had such memoranda, however, been made on paper of 
the present improved age, the memoirs of a thousand men 
would have been lost to posterity. 

But while the texture of the old style paper, admitted 
of the manuscript's being passed from hand to hand — 
from generation to generation — supplying materials for 
magnalia, and anecdotes for male and female gossip, and 
characters and incidents for novels and romancers — 
while it endured the thumping of greasy spinners, and 
bid defiance to the smoke of the brew-house, the new 
manufacture would have disappeared as down before the 
wind. 

8* 



90 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

No — none of the cogitations would prevent my writing 
in the blank books ; but to sit down to write in a great 
book, has so much formality in the act ; looks so much 
like laboring to become an author, that I never would do 
it, unless I were compiling a work of public utility — in 
which case I would leave nothing afloat — no loose paper 
should be exposed to the dust-brush of the servant — every 
fact and idea on the subject should be noticed in the 
blank-book, duly headed, registered, and numbered. This 
mechanical arrangement assists if not supplies memory, 
saves time, and tends to correctness. On the same prin- 
ciple, I prefer Italian paper ; if you want strength and 
durability, it possesses both those qualities. It is smooth, 
easy, and soft to write on — it can be squared, folded, and 
if you have several half sheets, stitched, and be inade to 
occupy a very small place in your pocket-book, accessible 
when riding, walking, sailing, or resting at an Inn, and 
when you have done with it, makes very tractable papil- 

lotes. 

Mentioning this subject to Dr. M. as we sat one evening 

at the window, looking at the play of the moon beam on 
the gently agitated surface of the lake below, his meta- 
physical fancy immediately began to work. — " I submit 
to the learned," said he, " if it. is not solely the power 
of association." — It is a delicate, a deep, and perhaps a 
metaphysical question ; but hyposhesis is deducible, and 
may be supported by anology. Some I know assert, 
dogmatically, metaphysically, or chemically, that what- 
ever had existence cannot be destroyed : that the same 
indentical particles in which the essence of a substance 
resides, however separated and dispersed, will under 
other circumstances, attract each other and assume a com- 
pact form. Others, not hardy enough to proceed further, 
nor ' to consider curiously' with Hamlet, * say lazily that 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 91 

it is vain to puzzle our heads with what cannot be brought 
to a certainty, (saying with Bishop Heber,) " in our pro- 
found ignorance of the world of spirits," though a direct 
contradiction of all the sober truths which cost the scho- 
lastic age so much labor to investigate. But these mis- 
take the question, and argue about a spiritual existence, 
and we about substance. 

We have substantial forms, and as all our ideas origin- 
ate in sensation, matter cannot be annihilated, why should 
we not rationally pursue the thread or fibre through all 
its transitions and ramifications ?" 

Travellers, Missionaries, and Philosophers, concede that 
the soil of Jerusalem, notwithstanding the winds of the 
desert, and other causes, have shifted its surface a thous- 
and times, is still the identical soil on which Solomon 
studied botany, and where the fair daughter of Judea 
" went into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the 
valley, whether the vine flourished and the pomegranates 
budded." — Yet this soil has assumed a form very different 
from what it possessed, when Palestine was studded with 
villages, and the^whole country, from Lebanon to the 
sea, and from the sea to the Euphrates, teemed with the 
most luxuriant vegetation. 

And is there more irrationality in supposing that this 
very sheet of paper, may be composed of the particles 
which formed, according to Ham.let's conception, the cloth 
of a bung-hole, and that that same matter once was sus- 
pended on the mast of Cleopatra's barge when she sailed 
gallantly down the ' silver — Cydnos, when she came from 
Egypt' and the gentle winds were lodged in purple sails, 
and gazing crowds stood panting on the shore? That 
these being captured by Caesar, and conveyed to Rome, 
were converted into the identical paper on which the 
poets of that age wrote those immortal works which are 



92 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

yet the delight of classical scholars. This supposition 
once admitted, the paper becomes a mental telescope, 
unfolding to our view the distant Appenines and all the 
magnificence of Italian scenery ?" 

On our arrival at H******, we found the village in 
commotion. Three competitors for patronage were on 
the ground : a lecture on astronomy, an opera-manager, 
and a ventriloquist. All could not be attended on the 
same evening, and no accommodation could be effected, 
as each believed it would be a sacrifice of the dignity of 
his profession to relinquish its claim to priority. On the 
interference of a wise senator, it was finally settled that, 
as the astronomical lecture would be more instructive to 
young, and the ventriloquist more entertaining to the 
grown people, than a concert of theatrical music, three 
evenings should be appropriated to the astronomer, and 
two to the ventriloquist ; then only Saturday being left 
for the musician, and public amusements being disallow- 
ed on that evening, the company departed. 

I met the ventriloquist descending the stairs just as I 
entered the hotel. He seemed inclined to avoid recogni- 
tion ; this being unavoidable, we niel, and being curious 
to know a little of his history, I invited him into the 
withdrawing room. 

R. P. is a man of color. Till the agfe of 

eleven, he was the favourite pet of a very respectable 
mistress, and of her whole family, whom I after visited at 
H*** about thirty miles from town. He was as agile as 
a squirrel, and as full of trick and mimickry as a mon- 
key. After leaving his relatives and the family of his mis- 
tress, he went with a gentleman through various parts of 
Europe ; passed into several services, and finally return- 
ed as an assistant to Rennie the Ventriloquist. After 
Rennie quitted the stage, P. commenced his carreer, 
and soon married a respectable colored woman. 



EXCURSION TO WINNfPISEOGEE. 93 

Finding the profession profitable, he endeavoured to 
please the public by rendering his exhibitions more va- 
rious, and improved his power of ventriloquism by observa- 
tion and exercise. 

He told me that during the last twenty years he had 
visited and exhibited in Europe, the West Indies, and 
most of the large cities of the United States — generally 
with the most beneficial results to his finances. 

*' The good advice given to me while a child," said 
he, " I trust was not thrown away ; it has always been 
present to my mind, and I hope has influenced my con- 
duct. The experience of my whole life has confirmed 
what my friends inculcated. My profession, you know, 
Sir, is exposed to corrupt influences, arid seldom leads to 
any thing short of total destruction. It is looked upon as 
the lowest among the low, and therefore people allow no 
moral rectitude to one whose business consists in cheat- 
ing the senses. It is the province of a wise man to turn 
credulity and curiosity to his own advantage. It is the 
maxim of the politician as well as of the judge." 

" Seeing as I did, that few public performers withstood 
the temptations of dissipation, and finding that ' birds of 
the same feather flock together,' I determined to avoid 
the entanglements of company ; and I could do this with- 
out much exposure to the sarcasms of the witty, or the 
importunity of the idle, since the pretence of preparation 
and experiment, for the succeeding exhibition, always 
served as an apology for retiring. Thus I have avoided 
gambling, drinking, and idleness. But the surest an-^ 
chor, I thought, was to have some determinate object al- 
ways in view, and none appeared to me more decisively 
powerful, than an independence that would secure me 
from poverty and public charity, (the common fate of 
Strollers), when advanced age, or youthful competitors 



94 EXCURSION TO AVINNIPISEOGEE. 

drove me from this temporary enjoyment. Having a 
good wife, well acquainted with country business, I con- 
cluded, that instead of carrying her about with me as an 
assistant, it would be better to have a home, which would 
be to her a congenial occupation, and'to me a polar star, 
towards which I should always set my course." 

** I accordingly took up about two hundred acres of near- 
ly wild land in New-Hampshire, and laid out a plan of 
improvement. Hero, as I returned periodically from 
my excursions, I found a bank established, which gave 
good interest for my deposits. My purchase and my im- 
provements have cost me more than ten thousand dollars. 

"It was not long, before I found it necessary to build a 
house, and I thought I might as well have a genteel, as a 
mean one. You may have seen it, Sir, as you passed from 
Concord to Hanover. It is the original, as I have been 
told, from which the government of the State, did me the 
honor to model the State House. The natural coinci- 
dence of professions probably suggested this. There I 
have reared a family, and should be very, happy to show 
you all the civilities in my power, when you pass that way 
again." 

*' Some people," says Montesquieu, ' hate digressions,' 
but I think he who understands their use is like one with 
long arms : he has more objects within his reach." ' 

From the time that we entered this region of mountains 
and lakes, the eye has been kept in constant exercise : 
sometimes overlooking a vast expanse of water reposing 
between immense ranges of hills, and often darkened by 
.overshadowing mountains whose summits blended with 
the clouds: sometimes painfully stretching to penetrate 
through a magnificent vista of hills and woods, beyond 
which the rays of the sun were reflected from the silvery 
surface of many glistening lakes, and sparkling torrents 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 95 

leaping over precipices, and dashing into deep caverns be- 
low. Now a canopy of light hung over a dark valley ; 
reversing the order in which the poet has placed them, 
who says "then shine the vales," etc. 

One cannot help contrasting the littleness of art with 
the magnificence of nature ; and of feeling impressions of 
sublimity which all the skill of the describer or the painter 
cannot adequately impart. Yet it is only after we have 
seen the scenery of nature that we can properly appreciate 
the skill, however inadequate with which they describe 
and delineate. There will be some prettiness in all sec- 
ondary describers, and there may be some strong points 
in every original to discriminate the peculiarities of the 
landscape. 

It is difficult for a man like ****j with a mind filled 
with all kinds of knowledge, and a fancy which illumi- 
nates every impression, whether of past or present objects, 
while he is contemplating one scene, not to grasp at what 
is beyond, as he finds his vision expanded by casual as- 
sociation. 

And is it to this opulence of knowledge that we owe, 
not only the masterly pictures, but the imagery and even 
the sentiment of that delightful poetry which satisfies be- 
yond the reality of things ? Is it to the transferrence of 
qualities from other objects, artfully combined, and taste- 
fully disposed, around the dull and inanimate realities of 
life, that we owe our most pleasurable sensations ? 

Could Milton have imagined an Eden, without hav- 
ing seen the Appenines? Could he have adorned 
the sun, without reference to a mortal beauty ? 

" The golden-tressed sun 

All the day his course to run." 

So charmed are we with the general effect, that we de- 
sire not to examine by a cold analysis the source of that 



96 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

power which the poet possesses. Yet when we do exam- 
ine, we find it to be imagination working on those mate- 
rials which nature and art supply. Thus the celebrated 
description of the hunting in Shakspeare, — of the poets 
eye in a fine phrenzy rolling — the antique fables — the 
fairy toys — seething brains — shaping phantasies — brow of 
Egypt — all are of earthly origin ; every significant word 
belongs to some object, and has its origin in perception. 
Could Shakspeare himself have conceived, what one of 
his commentators calls the most elegant passage in the 
whole compass of English literature, (and who can tell 
why) without having the image of some ruined tenement 
in his mind. 

" O thou that (lost inhabit in my breast, 
Leave not the mansion so long tenantless, 
Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall. 
And leave no monument of what it was 1 

Who could have written 

" Thus while I musing pause o'er Shakspeare's page, 

I mark, in visions of delight, the sage, 

High o'er the wreck of man, who stands sublime ; 

A column in the melancholy waste, 

Its cities humbled, and its glories past. 

Majestic midst the solitude of time, 

unless Palmyra, or some other ruin had furnished the 
materials with which he constructed that magnificent 
and melancholy stanza? So he must have recollected 
Niagara, or some other cataract, who, by means of the 
permanent fixes the image of the transitory — making the 
terms, belonging the cataract exactly applicable to the 
clouds of the departing day, as we now behold them in 
majestic splendor, in the western horizon. 

Poured o'er the edge of azure clouds, a foam of silver white, 
And down the midst, a cataract of gold and purple light. 

The vicissitudes of showers, storms, tempests, contrast- 
ed with a vivid sun, a clear atmosphere, a brilliant rain- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 97 

bow, a bright Aurora Borealis, an unpicturable sun-set, 
with a thousand moving forms of every hue and tint ; 
moon-light, when every thing is clothed in the mellow 
hue of sober gray ; a reviving day, when the birds awake, 
the herds rejoice, the waters sparkle, the woods resound, 
the salutation of the morning lark ; the glittering dew 
drops on tree and bush, and briar hedge and green orch- 
ard, and meadow sparkled with flowers ; the cheer of the 
cock, the whistle of the robin, the bleating of sheep, the 
low of cattle, the tinkling of the cow-bell in the forest, the 
noise of the distant mill ; the dash of torrents hidden in 
the wilderness ; the woodman's axe throwing back the 
sun-beams as he emerges from dark woods, and slowly as- 
cends the distant hill — the surface of the earth, here ri- 
sing into inaccessible mountains, and abrupt precipices ; 
there undulating in hills, and sloping into valleys ; now 
enclosing tracts of sand, and now immense forests ; em- 
bosoming vast lakes, or bounding great oceans, gushing 
mountain torrents, streams leaping over rocks, and 
through fertile meadows ; gliding rivers, and pebbly 
brooks irrigating and fertilizing rich fields and vineyards, 
the buzz of cities ; the gaiety of assembled elegance and 
beauty ; choice music— devotional concords — painting — 
sculpture — architecture — ships gliding among islands — 
boats dancing on rivers — fleets covering the ocean — those 
are facts, with which imagination has nothing to do ; 
most are tangible — some are only seen ; we see the river 
glide, the moon move, the mountain tower, the sea roll, 
we see the infant play, the youth rejoice, the man employ- 
ed, the aged calm — all, all bestowing a sweet influence 
on the blood, causing it to move cheerily, and opening all 
the avenues by which pleasurable sensations are commu- 
nicated along the nerves to awaken the intellect, and 
warm the heart. 

9 



98 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

Hence the imagination is furnished. He who observes 
most, collects most. He who collects most is richest in 
stores for imagination, and he who exercises most imagi- 
nation on the materials which nature and art supply, in- 
creases his power of combining, and of creating new 
forms, purified perhaps from the feculencies of earth, but 
still congenial with that etherial spirit which has existence 
in every heart, and with those aspirations after something 
more elevated, than earth supplies, but of which nature 
gives the promise in every rain-bow, as well as in every 
faculty of the human mind. 

Yet there is a feeling of enjoyment, in the absence of 
the variety, as well as of the stirring phenomena of na- 
ture. We want not the turbulence of the ocean ; the 
uproar of the tornado ; the rattling of thunder rebounded 
by every hill ; the fearfulness of lightning leaping from 
rock to rock, from heaven to earth ; the rocking of the 
earthquake ; the torrent of the volcano — the sublime is 
in the silence, the expansion, the awful serenity, the re- 
pose of the mountain in the moon-light, or the orb of day 
penetrating every where, illuminating, and watching, and 
vivifying from the minute ramification of a fibre, to the 
extent of the universe. 

The eye, too much fatigued by constant exercise, re- 
quired some relief; the light of the lamp itself was irritat- 
ing. As soon as this inconvenience was perceived, the 
whole medical faculty was put in requisition, and various 
remedies were proposed. The majority of the company 
agreed in recommending June ivater. Some was imme- 
diately brought from the cellar, and not long after its ap- 
plication, we were sensible of its meliorating properties; 
and began to speculate on its peculiar qualities. 

I have often smiled at the pains city-ladies took to catch 
June water in a hnghi pewter basin, none other being al- 



EXCURSIOP^ TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 99 

lowed to receive this precious lotion fur the eyes, and cos- 
metic for the complexion. In the city, however, it has 
lost its reputation as a good cosmetic ; it neither bleach- 
es a fair skin, gives bloom to a ruddy cheek, nor softness to 
a delicate and expressive countenance : and those who have 
the least need of additions to their natural beauty, are of- 
ten the most sedulous to heighten their charms by artifi- 
cial means. In this place it is in great repute, both ex- 
ternally as a cosmetic, and internally as a solvent of cru- 
dities, and a specific for dyspepsy ; and an indigenous 
doctor, residing in a hermitage in the forest, pronounces 
it to be a never failing remedy for disorders arising from 
the use of ardent spirits. 

June water possesses peculiar properties, but those 
properties depend on circumstances, not within the reach 
of city ladies, and hence it has fallen into disuse. 

The atmosphere near the sea is always charged with 
saline particles; hence rain water in any season, ceases 
to be a good solvent. Snow precipitates from the atmos- 
phere all heterogeneous substances, as fining carries down 
all feculencies in wine, and hence after the first fall of 
snow, the succeeding is perfectly pure, and possesses a 
powerful solvent property, — so as to penetrate leather, and 
drive us to the use of India rubber to exclude moisture 
from the feet — but after a long rain, the water is less pure 
near the sea, than at a distance. 

In mountainous and watery countries, the vapours that 
accumulate into clouds, carry with them no salt, for 
the winds that come over the ocean deposit the saline par- 
ticles before they reach the interior. Yet the vapors that 
form clouds, and descend in mists, dew, or rain, are im- 
pregnated with^ extraneous substances. Animals that 
have olfactory nerves of much greater sensibility than 
those of man, detect approaching or distant objects, 



100 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

which no man perceives. The Buffalo and the horse 
will scent a bear long before the most sentient hunter of 
Kentucky. 

At the distance of a hundred leagues from the Azores, 
dofifs have been noticed to run to the wind-ward side of a 
ship, snuff the wind, and at length spring overboard and 
swim directly towards the quarter whence the wind blew, 
though no man on board could perceive the least efflu- 
via in the breeze. 

It is not therefore in poetic vision, that those who are 
made to sail " beyond the Cape of Hope — beyond Mo- 
zambique and far off at sea, rest on their oars to smell Sa- 
bean odors from the shores of Araby the blest ;" but a 
reality well authenticated. The sublime and beautiful 
conception of the powerful effect of such fragrancies, as 
expressed in the concluding line of the description, where 
sensibility is attributed to the ocean, is worthy the genius 
of Milton. 

" Cheered with the grateful smell, old ocean smiles." 

Now is the month of June, when the forest is in bloom 
with a thousand flowers that never wasted their fragrance 
in the desert air of a hot-house, " gentle gales, fanning 
their odoriferous wings, steal perfumes, and waft them 
through the whole atmosphere, impregnating the clouds 
that shed May flowers" — make the water, suspended in 
the air, a perfect compound of etherial essences, whose 
exhility of particle is more subtile than what mortal chem- 
istry can produce. 

Gross essential oils constitute all the peculiarities of 
cosmetics and scented waters which are used in cities : 
but the finer soul and spirit of these essential oils are car- 
ried up to blend with, and contribute to, the softness, and 
to the balsamic, and solvent, and cosmetic properties of 
the water of the flower month ; and besides, they are so 



EXCUllSlOJJ TO WiNNIPlSEOGEfi. 101 

intimately blended, and so nicely proportioned, that they 
lose their individuality, and hence cannot be detected 
and separated by the finest organs, or most delicate 
contrivances of man. While they remain above, they af- 
ford an etherial sustenance to myriads of little butterflies, 
who dance and sport in gay fantastic rings ; living as we 
think on air, while they are feasting and bathing in ethe- 
rial dews. 

Rivers and lakes likewise imbibe much of these essen- 
ces, as any person may sensibly feel, who enjoys the lux- 
ury of bathing in them. 

If you bathe in sea water, you are braced, and your skin 
is rendered dry and acid. The solvent properties of lake- 
water, immediately remove the exudations which plate 
the most delicate skin ; renders soft and supple, and at 
the same time gives elasticity to the limbs ; and your 
very heart seems to breathe through the emancipated 
pores. 

'Tis this water, caught in a wooden tub set in the 
open field after the rain has precipitated the motes that 
danced in the sun-beams, that is bottled, and kept sweet 
and pure for several years, undergoing no fermentation 
in any change of season or climate. And this was the 
specific for our inflamed eyes. 

No circumstance so well sets off* the charms of a lovely 
woman, as a little amiable altercation with her beloved. 
" Why, Matilda, do you want to risk your precious limbs 
on the Lake ?" Because I do, replied she. " Because, 
ay, because — the same word, implying the same reason — 
absolute will — from Eve, to this time." Then lohy did 
you ask the question? "There again, another word be- 
longing exclusively to the Ladies' vocabulary. This tohy^ 
so hateful to all master Miles' dull scholars — and this 6c- 
cause — as handy as if to a Justice of the Peace — and 
9* 



102 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

truly as convenient likewise to English, Irish, Scotch 
and American women." How absurd, when you know 
perfectly well it is seldom used through ignorance, but 
generally implies a deference to your superior judgment ; 
and when you proposed a question that implies an objec- 
tion, now be honest, and tell me if you did not expect 
this flattering word, in compliment of your understand- 
standing? — So over the lake the party prepared to sail or 
row. 

Were I an inhabitant of this vicinity, and fond of wa- 
ter excursions, or desirous of gratifying my friends with 
this amusement, I certainly would have a barge, or a 
life-boat, light, convenient, and safe, notwithstanding half 
the pleasure of such excursions seems to arise from the 
inconvenience of the accommodations, and the rickety 
state of the boats in use, putting in requisition, even to 
temerity, the courage of the adventurers, and requiring 
the incessant resort to expedients, to provide both for 
safety and accommodation. " The boat has no awning — 
it may rain — the sun may shine out and the rays may be 
excessively hot." The lady spread her umbrella. — 
" There is but one thowl." The lady had a knife, bor- 
rowed for the purpose of taking plants up by the roots ; 
how lucky — the handle just fitted. " The bottom of the 
boat is wet," — India rubber boots defy water — In short, 
the lady found a remedy for every defect. " Perseve- 
rance is good, my lord," and so to sea they went. 

I honor such perseverance in a good cause ; it be- 
speaks character ; but when it degenerates to obstinacy, 
it is to be reprobated, as it betokens ignorance and a de- 
fective understanding. The lady came for pleasure, and 
it contributed to her pleasure, to convince her husband 
that no cowardice on her part should ever disturb his 
queit. He should not be stopped on his journey by her 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 103 

dread of a distant cloud. He should not be kept from 
sailing, through her fear of drowning ; her temerity was 
to confirm his confidence ; he was going, and why should 
she not go ? If he had married her for money, an estab- 
lishment, a coach, &/C. she would remain at home. Peo- 
ple are entitled to no more than they marry for ; a com- 
pliance with the terms, nay even with the concealed spi- 
rit of the contract, is all that can be required. ^' Her 
husband was going, and why should she fear going where 
he would venture. She had implicit confidence in 
George. Dr. Fothingal in one of his medical lectures, 
(a very odd place to think of love ;) advised his pupils 
never to put on a new coat to go a courting in, lest the 
lady should like the new coat, and overlook the wearer, 
Matilda regarded not coat, coach, nor establishment ; she 
married for love of an affectionate heart and a good un- 
derstanding. And George estimated rather the internal 
than the external wealth of his wife. 

I minute these particulars for the sake of my friend 
who composes novels. She may imagine and depicture, 
the very attitudes, and gesture, and look which accom- 
panied the expressions of Matilda. She may touch-off, 
with her usual grace, the evanescent exhibitions of the 
finer emotions of the heart, assuming various shapes and 
shades — now in the mocking lip ; the half closed and 
archly contracted eye-brow ; the protrusion, in defiance, 
of the slender foot ; the bending, insinuating, and now 
assumed, haughty posture ; the waving of the arm so as 
to display the voluptuous chest, as well as to repel ap- 
proach ; the extension of the delicate little hand stretch- 
ed out in defiance, and the tripping away singing, ''fol- 
low, follow, follow" &c. 1 only request her to reject the 
old moulds of prescriptive description. We have stereo- 
typed terms on French hangings which answer for rural 



104 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

scenery. For moral beauty we want something more 
appropriate and characteristic, especially when we want 
to convey, even a faint idea of the peculiar graces which 
belong exclusively to that delightful era when youth and 
beauty are in the spring of happiness, and when every 
unrestrained motion, is an emanation from the affections ; 
and when benevolence beams on all around. Such is the 
paradise which is perpetually present, when infancy and 
youth remain in the garden of Eden, without having tasted 
the tree knowledge through the temptation of delusive 
desires. And happily when one set is driven out of this 
paradise, another enters, and creation succeeds creation. 
In the evening we had a delightful concert; the ladies 
had voices, and the gentlemen clarionets and flutes. A 
French horn or some other instrument might have added 
reverberations from the mountains which would have 
mingled harmoniously with the notes below, but an Ital- 
ian chromatic exhibition would have been as incongruous 
as St. Peter's church in the wilds instead of being in 
Rome. Every thing is good in time and place. Scien- 
tific music, properly so called, is fitted to scientific ears ; 
and scientific ears, like scientific taste, loves nature in 
the involutions of art. The instinct of nature prompts 
children to imitation, and then they are natural and 
charmingly graceful ; the age of education substitutes 
reason for instinct, and they continue to copy, but with 
measured steps, and the stiffness of restraint. It may be 
that the manners and habits of professed musicians and 
amateurs, too often mar the pleasure that might result 
from music. Real scientific taste, is often so exquisitely 
critical, as to produce much misery to the profession ; 
and the manner in which this refinement is shown, 
disgusts the hearer and renders him insensible to 
the melody. The sensibilities of a man of taste are 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 105 

entitled to respect, but that sensibility is liable to run in- 
to the character of irritability. A stamp, a knitting of 
the brow, an angry look, reproof, impatience — all, or eith- 
er, demonstrate some error of which the company is not 
sensible, and the whole pleasure of the music is destroyed 
by the action. In addition to their susceptibility to the 
harmony of sweet sounds, the consciousness of skill is 
gratified by applause and popularity, and the performer 
is mortified if they are withheld ; while we receive an ex- 
quisite pleasure from less scientific performers, who pre- 
tend to no skill, but please to sing and sing to please, by 
simple, sweet, and touching strains ; and no doubt most 
people receive more pleasure from hearing an artless sing- 
er, than from all the thousand pretenders to science 
which make up the usual concerts to the fashionable 
world. 

After all, I may be very much mistaken, since I have 
so absurd an ear, as to feel no delight from the utterance 
of sounds that convey no sense nor sentiment. The vo- 
cal music of the Theatre is therefore my delight, because 
without book, I understand those articulating singers, 
who accompany the notes and instruments with the words 
and sentiments of the poet, 

" Enriched with vocal and articulate powers." 

Notes alone may tittilate the toes, "■ and give the elas- 
tic limbs their play ! but they never can draw tears to 
moisten the soldier's grave," transport us to Ceylon's 
** sunny isle," or subdue our passions to the gentle sooth- 
ingsof the watchman " what of the night." Nor can I ad- 
mire the practise of our churches. 

" There let the pealing organ blow, 

To the full voiced choir below, 

In service higli, and anthems cleavj 

As may with sweetness through mine ear, 

Dissolve me into ecstasies. 

And bring all heaven before mine eyes." 



106 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

Instead of which, without the book before us, we should 
not know that choir did any thing more than repeat, Fa, 
sol, la ! — nor am I an admirer of those sublime starts and 
shouts which " split the ears of the groundlings " — In all 
of which the Philo-harmonists accuse me of want of taste 
and science — agreed ; though I might appeal to the stage, 
where vocal music produces a profound silence in the au- 
dience, while instrumental alone gives the signal for con- 
versation and laughter. And were I called on to select 
an example of devotional music, I should go to Brat- 
tle Street Church, where a single female, Mrs, W. was 
so powerful in musical expression, as to thrill every bo- 
som with devotional feelings ; or to the solo of the Meth- 
odist M****, which discoursed most excellent music." 

Those who observe the customs of the first settlers in a 
new country, will find an explanation of many things which 
have perplexed the antiquarians of Europe when attempt- 
ing to investigate the remains of antiquity. The expe- 
dients to which men resort, either for comfort or security, 
under similar curcumstances partake of the same charac- 
ter. A moving tribe, like our Indians, bury a single 
corse in the earth ; but if the defuncts are numerous, as 
after a battle, they are piled on the surface, and a mound 
or barrow raised over them. When a community is for- 
med in a new country, a burying place is designated near 
to the centre of the population ; but if the people are 
much scattered, and isolated, and remote, each family 
buries its own members, within sight of the log-hut they 
inhabit. In our route we noticed several of these graves, 
and they are to be seen in all newly explored places re- 
mote 'from old settlements. We should smile, if any an- 
tiquary should gravely bring forward these monuments 
as proofs of the population of this country previous to its 
occupancy by our ancestors, yet it is not improbable that 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 107 

this will be done. Already a foreigner has written on 
the antiquity of the fortifications, which were erected at 
Oharlestown, and Roxbury, at the commencement of the 
revolution. 

As these lakes were stored with fish, their banks be- 
came the stations of Indians at certain seasons of the 
year ; and many rude stone-tombs have hence been col- 
lected, and deposited in museums. Such are common 
to all wandering tribes, and afford no indications of their 
national origin. The South American Indians have im- 
ages, resembling those which have been discovered in 
Asia. The Indians of North America, have left no reli- 
gious monuments. 

As soon as wandering tribes are reclaimed an^ become 
stationary, policy, interest or fear, cherishes superstitious 
rites and practices. Imagination is an original faculty : 
judgment an acquired habit. To bridle imagination is to 
curtail, and at the same time to regulate pleasure : to in- 
dulge it, engenders fear. The wise men of each com- 
munity soon learn from observation and experience, to 
manage the faculty, and harness it to the car of supersti- 
tion. But it may be questionable whether the North 
American, ever had any images, or religious observances, 
like those of the tribes of South American Indians, ex- 
cepting such as are common to all people. 

Idolatry is natural to man; he must refer the striking 
phenomena of nature, to invisible power ; and he will dep- 
recate the wrath, or admire the benevolence of that 
power. Solomon has philosophically traced its origin 
and progress in the 13th Chap, of the Book of Wisdom, 
(a book by the way, rather fuller of inspiration than some 
canonized by the Church). Only a part of the subjects 
which he names belong to all stages of society ; the rest 
belong to advanced and refined periods. 



108 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

The North American Indians appear to have fewer su- 
perstitious customs than the people of refined nations. 
People must become stationary, perhaps idle and luxuri- 
ous, before they incline to indulge in trifling pleasures, or 
deprecate trifling inconveniences ; before they acquire a 
tenuity of nerve to vibrate at every jar, and thrill at every 
sound. Probably what we call superstition owed its ori- 
gin to accident, to whim, or policy. The daily practice 
of an individual becomes a habit ; makes an impression 
on the child, is imitated, and an oddity, a vt'him, a punc- 
tilio of pride, is continued, and reverenced with filial devo- 
tion. 

Many, if not most of the superstitious customs of 
Europeans, are derived from elder Eastern nations. 

Our ancestors brought a {ew of these with them from 
England. Few however remain with us at this day. 
They could not long exist among a people who professed, 
'' that old things were done away." Some of a purely 
domestic class remain, such as that of preceding the re- 
moval of a family into a new habitation, with salt, bread, 
a broom, and the Bible — a custom, with the exception 
of the Bible, as old as the Grecian Republic. 

Antiquarians are very much engaged in tracing the 
origin of nations through the medium of language. I 
wonder whether peculiarities of phraseology mark the 
original connexion of the people of many towns here, 
with the people of the English town or district whence 
they came? Though it is said that theris is more unifor- 
mity in the spoken language of N. E. or of the U. S. than 
there is in that of England, yet there is a remarkable dif- 
ference between the vulgar phrases of different towns. 
Ipswich, for instance, it has been said, has always been 
distinguished for the purity of its diction, while Salem 
and Marblehead have a singular set of cant and vulgar 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 109 

phrase. The old school-master Burnham, used to attri- 
bute this peculiarity to the early, and continued attention 
of the Town to its Public Schools ; declaring that the 
original settlers imbibed a taste for letters in the English 
town from which they emigrated, and where Cardinal 
Woolsey established a celebrated school, the spirit of which 
had been retained and transmitted through every succes- 
sive generation. If this be a just deduction, Let Ipswich 
. erect a monument to the great political Cardinal, who 
amid the splendour of royality, regarded the learning 
which conducted him to power, as the only sure means 
of elevating society to the comprehension of its duties, 
the capacity for freedom, and the enjoyment of good gov- 
ernment. 

New-Hampshire has some singular phrases. One of 
which has acquired celebrity from its being used by 
Gen. Miller, who, being asked by the commander in 
chief, whether he could take a certain fort, replied, ' I'll 
try.' Singular customs of employments likewise discrim- 
inate the people of different places. Stop a Vineyard sai- 
lor, or a Boston lounger at your door, and inquire if the 
one wants a voyage, or the other a service — if engaged, 
they will both give a short answer, and pass on — if disen- 
gaged, and a pen-knife is in the pocket — haste to close 
your bargain, or your house will be cut down. 

Notwithstanding we are daily reminded of the genera- 
tions which have passed away, magnificent monuments 
only, furnish palpable evidence of the existence and des- 
truction of nations. These perpetuate the slavish and 
ambitious spirit of the age ; and while the individual is 
dreaming of immortal remembrance, his mausoleum be- 
comes a chronological tablet. These tablets, however 
barren, yet connect the living with the dead. Of such 
monuments the Indians have left no remains. That 
10 



110 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

something of the kind would remain, there can be no 
doubt, had they not been driven by frequent wars from 
the stations where they made temporary encampments. — 
When they had tasted the fruits of the orchard, and sub- 
stituted the scanty harvest in winter, for the still more 
scanty and precarious provision of the chase ; when in- 
stead of a few bushes, they had piled up a hovel of stones 
to shelter their wives and children from the inclemency of 
the storm — from the natural energy of the human mind, 
rude, but ingenious contrivances would have added to 
their comforts, and with these, an attachment to a per- 
manent residence would have constituted a liome ; and 
home, consecrated by feelings and associations which it 
never fails to cherish, would have advanced them as it 
did the Mexicans, to a state of social order. 

All the sketches I have seen, and all the descriptions I 
have read, gave me a very imperfect idea of the country. 
Local beauties may be shadowed out by the pencil, but 
in general, pictures are as inadequate as is a piece of the 
giant's causeway to raise conceptions of the whole of that 
macrnificent battlement. 

Little can be expected from a short visit : to know a 
country well, we must live in it : to describe it well re- 
quires no ordinary talents. It requires skill in the use of 
instruments ; I do not mean instruments of surveying on- 
ly, though this is requisite ; but a quick and educated 
eye, a practised pencil, and the art of describing in words 
what cannot be made visible by models. Remote coun- 
tries can be visited by few ; and it is therefore desirable, 
that the descriptions should be such as cannot fail of con- 
veying a true picture to the mind. The language of 
science is universal. When a botanist and mineralogist 
speaks of plants and minerals, the terms are appropriate, 
and understood by men of all countries. So a traveller 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. Ill 

may give the height of a mountain ; the breadth of a 
lake, but there are features, and not portraits — he has 
no special term which can give the reader an adequate 
conception of that totality in the aspect which results 
from the relative position, and harmonious combination of 
natural objects, each holding an important and appropriate 
station in the landscape, the omission of any one of which 
destroys the completeness or effect of the whole as a whole. 
Most men admire a noble animal, but the jockey alone, 
at one glance, discerns that proportion and perfectness of 
the parts from which result the symmetry and beauty of 
the whole combined ; so a drover decides instantaneous- 
ly on the character of an ox, and a sailor on the proper- 
ties of a ship. All admire a gem, a pebble, a rock and 
other remarkable objects on the surface of the earth, but 
none but the painter, who sees every thing in connexion, 
and who neglects not even the curl and color of the moss, 
can give each an appropriate place in the landcape. 

Let Mr. A. give us the journal of a tour, and we shall 
have an almost tangible landscape, not of the pencil only, 
but of the pencil flowing with associations, and pointed 
with those colors of imagination which give life, indentity, 
condensation and compass to the whole, and to the parts 
as they appear in nature ; and even when indistinct to 
the sensible, yet so admirably disposed as to bring a full 
picture to the mind's eye. 

Physiognomy and Craniology are two uncertain sci- 
ences. Yet there are some remarkable cases in which 
they so far agree on indications of character, as to make 
us think they have some foundation in nature. The indi- 
cations are to us, however, imaginary, while to the teach- 
er they are true signs ; So the poet and the painter, 
present us with descriptions of landscapes which we can- 
not realize, though to their full minds the images are 



112 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

distinct. How is it that one man sees objects so different- 
ly from another ? How is it that a musician is in ecstasy 
at a perform.ance, which affords others only a vague sen- 
sation of pleasure ? How is it that every beauty of na- 
ture, and every exquisite quality of art, do not give the 
like pleasure to all ? Is there this immense difference be- 
tween, a cultivated ear and eye, and the contrary ? I 
believe there is, as there is between an intense obser- 
ver, and a casual looker on. Though endowed with the 
like natural capacity ; favoured by the like opportunity, 
one comes prepared, with a hahit of attention, the Qther 
with a habit of indifference : one with his lamp trimmed 
and burning, the other without a wick to his oil. In 
short, it is attentiori — attention habitually in exercise, up- 
on all and every object which comes before him, which 
* checks at every feather that comes before his eye.' But 
admitting that we cannot arrive at this skill, or acquire 
this art, we may acquire such a knowledge of external 
nature, as to enhance the pleasures that result from im- 
itations and combinations of the pencil, in proportion 
to our knowledge of the principles of the arts : for the 
principles are in nature, and may be learned by experience 
and observation. For want of attention to these princi- 
ples, we have loose and vague descriptions both in words 
and colors. A part is given for the whole ; and a whole, 
indistinctly in a mist. 

Some landscapes are hence dull and flat ; trunks glued 
to the back ground, and branches and leaves matted as 
though they had been screwed in a hop-press. It is not 
perhaps in the power of art to preserve the same distinct- 
ness that there is in nature where it exists in the midst 
of variety. But must the painter, (as one said to me,) 
always throw out a tub to the whale, to draw the specta- 
tor to some remarkable object, thrown in for the express 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 113 

purpose of inviting attention ? This seems to argue a 
want of power, so to affect the imagination of the observer, 
as to make him think he could walk under those branches 
— that he could go to the termination of those woods, by 
the light which beams on the foot path — that he could 
put aside the living leaves which surround the core or the 
fruit — that he could hide behind the trunks of those 
massy oaks — and yet this power is exhibited in paintings. 
But what have I to do with landscapes or paintings ? Be- 
lieving as I do, that one of two circumstances is absolute- 
ly requisite to the beholder of a fine landscape painting, 
to cause the piece to aiford him supreme delight, the one a 
comprehensive acquaintaace with that kind of country 
which is delineated, — the other, an intimate knowledge 
of the particular scene which is the original of the pic- 
ture which serves as an index to revise the impression 
which a view of the original made, and which, mingling 
with the sketches before him, transports him back to 
the very place where he received his earlier pleasurable 
sensations. 

But you must come to this place more than once if you 
expect to have your mind filled with any thing more than 
the perception of a brilliant cloud ; come, if you want to 
feel the beauty and the variety of the scenery. Come, 
as a resident, calm, observing, sedate: in company, and 
alone — minutely inspecting, to acquire a knowledge of 
every thing in detail ; and then by frequent, extensive, 
and varied views under various aspects, the combined 
sublimity and beauty of the whole. No country is well 
known till after a second visit. We return with minds 
furnished with new powers for observation. Fresh ob- 
jects start up, and new beauties disclose themselves. 
We go away it seems, only to sharpen our faculties, and 
10* 



114 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

obtain a fresh relish for new objects of delight which be- 
come more permanent than the former. 

We form a landscape on the tablet of the mind for af- 
ter times and seasons. And it might be urged in favour of 
giving strong and deep attention to every scene in nature, 
that we thus lay up a treasure that shall be bright in 
old age. This attention assists, and stocks the memory 
with objects ever various and pleasant ; and, since it is 
an old remark, that age forgets the present, and remem- 
bers the past, it is of infinite importance that we preoccu- 
py every corner of memory with ideas of pleasurable sen- 
sations. Let the present go, if the past is sufficient. When 
the vessel of memory is full, all the additions made, are 
on its surface, and may be allowed to flow over the brim. 

** I'd have you better know this trade of ours. 'Tis a 
profession. Sirs, to ravish admiration. Its nursing father 
is the Law." 

Therefore we made a journey to the county-court, 
which is a copy of every other court in the State. In the 
management of cases, the bar of all civilized countries 
nearly agree. Not so in the pomp and circumstance of 
Courts. Here they are less formal than Europe, or than 
under the Colonial Government. An admirable simplici- 
ty prevails in all that regards etiquette; the Americans 
requiring that the aspect of a court of Justice should be 
as unimposing and simple, as its principles are pure and 
independent. 

The language and manners of the pleaders, in common 
cases differ little from those of ordinary life among men 
of business. 

It is recorded by^ an ancient Historian, that Pericles 
always practised before a mirror, that he might see what 
effect the utterance of each letter had upon his mouth. 
Were modern orators to attempt thus to operate upon the 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 115 

senses, they would be ridiculed for their affectation. And 
in fact, such is the critical discernment of the aore, that 
a man must be careful to avoid leaving his track in the 
snow of his predecessors, and even to shun a studied form, 
which indicates a mannerist. 

Those who have studied the artificialness of oratory, 
lay much stress on externals. Those who have been con- 
versant with the great models of ancient and modern elo- 
quence, and from the diligent perusal of their works, 
have imbibed the spirit of their originals, expect to find 
among the great men of this improved age, the most per- 
fect examples of all that has been attributed either of ac- 
tion, knowledge of the heart and passions, dignity of sen- 
timent, pathos, grace, and sublimity of language, to the 
splendid names which illuminate the otherwise dark an- 
nals of the world. 

*' Those," said Valerius, " who, like myself, come 
strangers to the scene of Oratorial triumph, cannot fail to 
bow down and submit themselves, in awful homage, be- 
neath its sway. When I heard the clear and harmonious 
periods of my kinsman, following each other in their un- 
doubting sweep of energy — when I observed with what 
apparent skill he laid his foundations in a kw simple facts 
and propositions, and then, with what admirable art, he 
upreared from these, a superstructure of conclusions, 
equally easy and unexpected — equally beautiful and in- 
genious — when, above all, he had conducted us to the 
end of his argument, and closed the whole magnificent 
strain with one burst of passionate eloquence, in which he 
seemed to leave even himself behind him, 1 could not 
but feel within myself as if I had been till now a stranorer. 
not only to the most splendid, but to the most awful of 
enchantments — as if I had now, for the first time, con- 
templated the practised strength of reason, and the em- 
bodied might of the soul." 



116 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

Such perhaps may be the expectation of some who 
come fresh from the halls of the University. How great 
must be their disappointment on hearing the most celebra- 
ted men of our day ! 

Alexander Hamilton, as a Statesman and as a pleader 
at the bar, was allowed to be one of the most powerful the 
country ever produced. A student of one of our colleges 
obtained leave of absence, for the purpose of attending 
court where Hamilton was to plead, in a cause that was 
supposed to require the full exertion of his strong mind, 
and the display of his great talents. He accordingly en- 
tered the court, but not till the closing counsel had risen 
to speak. After listening four hours, the case was given 
to the jury, to his great disappointment, as he supposed he 
had arrived too late to hear the great Orator. On return- 
ing home, he was met by a number of his fellow students 
all eager to hear his recital of what he had witnessed. 
He informed them of his disappointment, as he had the 
opportunity only of hearing a little man who began to talk 
just as he entered,, and continued till the cause was 
finished — and he thought that he himself could talk full as 
well — and this little man was Alexander Hamilton. 

When we arrived at the Court, the great M was 

pleading or rather drawling over a little cause. Here we 
had an evidence that the greatest, are the simplest minds. 
A great mind, like a great planet, performs its evolutions 
with silent regularity ; a little mind like an eccentric rock- 
et, which whizzes along and agitates the atmosphere. 
Buonaparte arranged the little figures of the toy-shop, 
dressed in the costume of the several dignitaries who 
were to perform at the coronation, and at the wedding of 
his Austrian dueen, with as much ease and interest as he 
showed in arranging a campaign, and both were done 
without yMS5, and M was as much at Aomc, as when 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 117 

he was discussing, with the knowledge of Marshall, the 
logic of Ellsworth, the wit of Burges, and the moral digni- 
ty of Ames, the interest and policy of nations in the Sen- 
ate of the United States, to the great discomfiture of Sen- 
ator B who said, he " cared not a fig for any op- 
ponent, provided it were that knock-me-down gentleman 
from Ncto Hampshire^" 

On our passage from the lead mines of Eaton, which 

General L had invited us to visit, we were stopped 

in a narrow part of the road by four waggons, one of 
which, in descending a rugged declivity of a spur of the 
Ossipee, was upset, and the whole cargo, consisting of 
women, children, and household stuff, was thrown out 
and lay spread on the ground. 

Our assistance was required, and more gladly accepted 
as the day was far spent, and indications of foul weather 
appeared in the sky. Besides, they were fearful of not 
arriving at any place of shelter ; preparations for lodging 
in the waggons having been deferred until they had 
passed into the woods, where no tavern was yet to be 
found. 

Their equipage consisted of four waggons covered with 
sail-cloth, and drawn by two horses each. Two of those 
contained the luggage ; and two were appropriated sepa- 
rately^ to the accommodation of the men, and the women 
and children. 

Tt appeared, that they were migrating to Indiana, 
where land had been purchased, and several log-huts 
erected by the young men, and were in readiness to re- 
ceive their families. Three of these young men, had re- 
turned from Indiana for the purpose of conducting the re- 
moval of the four elderly men and women — three youn- 
ger women and six children. 

After helping them to refit, we left them to pursue their 



118 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

tedious journey ; with which, however, the old men and 
women seemed not to be perfectly reconciled ; but the 
young men and women were in fine spirits ; full of ani- 
mation, and not doubting of a prosperous termination of 
their labors. 

Such emigrations have lessened within a few years, and 
perhaps it is well for N. E. that they have ; for had they 
continued, such as they were, during what were called in 
Maine, " The years of famine, ^^ that is, between 1810 
and 1816, they would have drained the country of much 
of its youthful strength. Such was the emigration at that 
period, that four thousand y«w//zes were said in the jour- 
nals, to have passed one of the bridges in the western 
part of New York, in one season. We presume, how- 
ever, this to be incorrect, and that four-thousand persons, 
was meant. 

As a group of those emigrants passed through the main 
streets of Boston, it excited much attention ; and a sketch 
of the caravan appeared in the following Elegy. 



THE FLIGHT. 

AN ELEGY. 



Whither travel you, ye men of robust frames and sun- 
burnt complexions ? Why do the beautiful countenances 
of the young women droop ? Why groaneth the matron 
in spirit? Why rest the old men on their staves, casting 
their eyes reproachfully around, as though they had been 
stripped of their well earned possessions by the ingrati- 
tude of man, and were now out-casts of society, or as 
those who go into banishment ? Why is the waggon the 
habitation of thy children, whence, from amid beds and 
utensils of a household, they look out and lift up their 
hands, and shout, and point the finger, and cry to each 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 119 

Other, as their imaginations are struck with the wonders 
of the City? 

Are the waters of Kennebeck and Penobscot bitter ? 
Are the streams that nourished the meadows of Andros- 
coggin dry 1 Have the fires failed for want of fuel ? Has 
the sea yielded no salt? Have the rivers withholden their 
salmon their shad, their bass, and their alewives? Have the 
kine and the sheep ceased to bring forth their young ? Have 
the pans of the dairy been empty? Will the churn pro- 
duce no butter? nor the cheese-press stream with rich 
whey ? 

And the young men answered and said : The waters of 
Kennebeck and Penobscot are not bitter, but frozen ; and 
the streams that coursed down the mountains and the 
hills, are not dry, but rare and scanty. The land is still 
covered with forest, but the wood thereof will not cause 
grass to grow ; nay, the peat of a whole forest would be 
no substitute for summer — neither has the salt, nor the 
fish failed ; but the kine and the sheep die for want of the 
winter fodder, and no milk can be spared from the lank ud- 
der to fill the churn or cheese-press. Moreover, the corn 
yieldeth not its increase, for the kernel thereof is with- 
ered in the milk. 

Now, considering that for seven years, yea, ever since 
the total eclipse, the summers have been chilly, and the 
winters long and dreary, we said one to another : Let us 
abandon our possessions, which aflford no adequate return 
for our labor, and let us remove to the south or to the 
west, where the land is more fertile, and the seasons more 
genial. 

So we harnessed our cattle and put covering over our 
waggons, and took what was needful for a long journey, 
and prepared seats of straw and moss for our old people, 
and our wives, and our children, knowing that we must 
often encamp in the wilderness. 



120 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

But our fathers and our mothers refused to depart, and 
said : " Here did we begin our lives, and here we will 
end them. Did not our fathers and our mothers, in the 
prime of life, leave Massachusetts, and couie into these 
forests, where no tree was felled, and no church was 
built, and no roads were formed ? And did they not la- 
bor and toil, to clear away the forests, and to fence in 
fields, and to provide corn for men and cattle ? And did 
they not lodge in log huts, without windows and chim- 
nies for many years 1 And were not these the places of our 
birth 1 And until we, their children, had become able to 
tend the cattle, and to hoe, and to reap, and to cut wood, 
were they not content and happy ? 

And when they had erected framed houses, with chim- 
nies, and with the fruits of the land had bought glass for 
windows, and made parlours, and kitchens, and chambers 
and cellars, and dairy-rooms, had they not stores of pro- 
visions, and apples and cider, and every thing convenient 
for long winters. 

And did they not erect churches and school houses? 
And have not we enjoyed the benefit of their labor, and 
transferred to you, our children, all those blessings, con- 
tinually adding that of our own labor and care, together 
with better instruction than our fathers, by reason of in- 
cessant toil, could afford to us 1 

And would you now remove us into a far country, 
where all this labor must be repeated, and all those priva- 
tions be endured ? 

Ye are young and sturdy, and with all the buoyancy of 
youth delight in change and new scenes. Your affections 
are not linked to the tombs ; you have no sighs to mingle 
with the flowers that grow over departed joys! you saw 
not the apple tree when it first burst through the soil ; 
neither did you watch and nurse it into bloom ; nor did 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 121 

you feel the rapture which its first mature fruit imparted. 
Will you now unearth the bones of our parents and of 
our children, and of our friends ? — We will be laid with 
them in this place ! Children, children, we cannot de- 
part ! — 

And we saw that their grief was great, and our young 
women were overcome with affection. But having taken 
our resolution with judgment, we determined to persist. 
And when they saw our waggons harnessed and our 
goods laden ; in the anguish of their souls they said : 
*' We will go with you !" 



The whole population of New England seems to be, 
without intermission, engaged by specific subjects : Pol- 
itics ; Revivals ; Education. Politics and education are 
universal, and permanent ; Revivals, local and tempo- 
rary. 

No great political subject being in agitation during 
our journeyings, education was the general topic. No 
village, however small, is destitute of an elementary 
school ; and in the larger towns we found from 5 to 10. 
In addition to these primary schools, in which reading, 
writing and arithmetic are freely taught to all, at the pub- 
lic expense, higher seminaries, supported by private sub- 
scriptions, are numerous. 

The public, however, provides only the school house, 
and for the pay of the teacher ; and a far greater burden 
falls on the people than that of the cost of these two 
items, viz. that of books. It would be impolitic to exon- 
erate the poor wholly from some personal recognition of 
his obligation to educate his children ; but it is the duty 
of society to lighten every expense which this obligation 

imposes. From various causes, school books are expen- 
11 



122 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

sire, and from frequent changes, the expense is much in- 
creased. To the ricli tliis is of small account, but when 
it is considered that the majority are poor, the rejection 
of an old book, and the substitution of a new one not es- 
sentially varying in its elements, is a heavy burden. It 
is to be wished therefore, that following the example of 
the Bible Society, the State would furnish to towns, the 
necessary books for the public free schools which they 
establish by law, at the simple cost of the materials and 
the labor. This would bring the price within the ability 
of the poorest ; the state would be refunded by the towns ; 
and one half of the expense be saved to the poor. 

It is a fact that in Boston, where the greatest attention 
is given to education, and where great pride is taken in 
their schools, that many are kept at home, and many in 
the schools meet with discouragement, and are kept from 
advancement equal to their talents, by the want of books 
— and the same occurs in the country. 

We had now wandered beyond the Merrimack, and 
part of the company that had assembled at Winnipiseogee, 
passed to the Connecticut — part had taken a south-west 
course, determined to gratify a romantic wish to stand 
upon the highland, from the summit of which the waters 
descend in contrary directions, to the two great rivers. 
Being indisposed, I remained alone for three days. These 
might have been tedious, had I not in a truly yankee 
style determined otherwise. On the second day I walk- 
ed abroad, trusting that chance would bring me in con- 
tact with some person or thing with whom, or which, 
I might associate. Man is not necessarily solitary, be- 
cause he is not with animals that use words. Whether 
his mood be grave or gay, he may always find beings of 
the same temperament. The ox with a senatorial coun- 
tenance, patient, contemplative, tractable ; the colt that 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 123 

like a sprightly damsel coquettishly dances around you, 
but spurns your near approach ; the sheep and Iambs 
that timidly fly to shelter; the squirrel chattering and 
leaping from tree to tree and bidding you defiance ; the 
steed that leaves his pasture and gallantly prances to- 
wards you, tosses up his head, and snorting seems to de- 
mand your business — all these court your company — and 
then again, the instincts by which they are impelled ; the 
variety of their motions, and the beauty of forms and 
attitudes and postures — and your conjectures respecting 
their intellectual powers — all engage your attention, as 
did the oyster that of Dr. Paley who found it not difficult, 
he says, to " find out amusement for all animals but oys- 
ters, periwinkles, and the like." 

Observing on a sign board the name of the county At- 
torney, and knowing that a person holding such a com- 
mission must possess great merit, I entered the office 
and introduced myself to the gentleman. Soon after anoth- 
er gentleman came in, and a very general conversation 
was begun and continued for nearly three hours. These 
were both men of extensive information ; nearly about 
the same age ; were married and had families of children. 
They spoke with great respect of their clergyman, to 
whom they were strongly attached. This person, they 
informed me, was originally a very popular minister in a 
large town of Massachusetts ; " But he had run out 
with his parishioners ; that is, the novelty had worn off. 
The most zealous suspected his orthodoxy because he 
discountenanced the getting up, as the technical phrase 
is, revivals, and was moreover suspected of inclining to 
Arminianism ; and the indifferent and the liberal were too 
inert to give him support and encouragement. Thus he 
felt himself neglected, and probably for that reason was 
too much depressed to put in requisition his very superior 



124 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

talents. Finally he was dismissed, and came into these 
parts; and he is to us, an acquisition of inestimable 
value." 

** Dr. Paley found the place he removed to, I think it 
was Carlisle," continued the Attorney, *' extremely illit- 
erate and unpolished. He soon brought it into a state of 
comparative refinement. Our minister has likewise 
been the means of -improving the society of this village 
and its vicinity. If classical scholars are considered 
requisite to instruct the youth, liberal scholars are as 
requisite to enable men of business, (whose time is prin- 
cipally appropriated to their respective callings), to keep 
pace with the advancement of improvement in society. 

*' The Baptist clergyman of this place, though zealous 
for his sect, and a little disposed to dogmatize, had a 
great knowledge of mankind, and united much philoso- 
phy with his theology. A liberal clergy, however they 
differ in doctrine, always agree respecting the influence 
of letters in elevating the moral character of the world ; 
but it may be doubted whether they always take the 
most judicious course to extend this influence. 'Tis with 
the clergyman, as with the physician : Confidence must 
be almost absolute. The people must be satisfied that 
he is learned in his profession ; able to give a reason for 
his doctrine ; sedulous in the investigation of truth; he 
must not merely give the result of his studies, but he 
must have the tact of perspicuously stating the steps of 
the process by which he arrived at his conclusions. With 
less than this, men of common sense will not be satisfi- 
ed. They will not be put off* with dicta ; and he knows 
little of the world, who imagines, because his hearers 
are not learned, they therefore cannot reason, or follow a 
process of reasoning. Were this the case. Juries would 
be absurd. They do reason about all the aff'airs of life 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 125 

with as much connexion and precision, as the logician 
with his sylogisms. And I am inclined to think that the 
argumentative and explanatory style of the last age, made 
a deeper and more lasting impression on men's minds, 
than the declamatory, sententious, desultory, and dicta- 
torial of the present. Now much is loose and disjointed : 
then every thing was consecutive, pointed, conclusive. 
Men went away with something to think of — they now 
depart with a pleasantness of feeling ; a disposition to ad- 
mire the ingenuity and fineness of the remarks. This 
kind of patch-work, amuses rather more than it instructs, 
or raises a devotional glow. It may do for the old, who 
want a rocking chair; but it does not mark out the coun- 
try over which the young are to course in the race of life. 
You may think I speak like a lawyer — well, be it so — I 
consider every audience to require evidence as well as 
reasoning ; and it is a contradiction in terms to grant 
to the common mass of men, from which our juries are 
composed, capacity to weigh the arguments of opposing 
counsellors, and of deciding on the most difficult cases of 
civil and criminal jurisprudence, and doubt of their ca- 
pacity to decide correctly of the evidences of Christianity, 
and of the justness of all moral and religious deductions. 
If therefore a minister, instead of trying to raise his peo- 
ple to his own ideas of excellence or improvement, 
lowers his discourse to what he conceives to be the low 
state of their understandings he certainly does not ad- 
vance his audience. This is as great a mistake as that 
of assuming an artinciul and lofty tone, so opposite to 
that simple, convincing and penetrating eloquence which 
perforating the understanding, opens the well-springs of 
the heart and affections." 

" Besides, most men of the world have some taste by 
which they judge of what is trite and common place ; and 

11* 



126 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

truth, good and solemn truth, incessantly iterated in trite 
and common-place form and language become the Sun- 
day lullaby to the fatigued hearer. Yet it is not merely 
the dry, didactic discourse which uninterests ; the most 
passionate declamation, and the most copious display of 
figures, however appropriate and elegant; though they 
may charm the fancy of the poetic hearer, fall coldly up- 
on a common audience. If engaged at all, they are en- 
gaged on the most solemn and important truths, and every 
thing that has a tendency to divert attention, from the 
straight forward course of argument, whether in attempts 
to rouse the passions or to delight the fancy, interrupts 
the progress of thought, by which a determinate end is ef- 
fected. 

** It is vain to deny that there is a great deal of elo- 
quence, in manner, or to pretend that truth, naked, una- 
dorned truth, is sufficient of itself to arrest attention ; what 
is rhetoric, but the knowledge of the means by which, 
through the medium of language, the minds of men are 
to be affected ; and here address is all important. He 
who would bring down his game, must select one object 
in the quarry. The public speaker whose manner is dif- 
fusive ; who speaks to his audience, addressing now the 
right, now the left, always dissipates attention, while he 
who seems to address a single man, kindles by the spark 
he has thrown on the other, and acquires animation and 
earnestness from noticing its effect, and thus bends the 
whole force of his excited mind to give energy to his ar- 
guments, while all the attentive audience are insensibly 
attracted and feel a sensation corresponding with the per- 
son addressed. An effective public speaker, may be li- 
kened to a magnet dropped amid the rubbish of a gold- 
smith's bench, mixed with inert steel filings, — yet these 
possessing a quality of attractability, immediately arrange 
themselves around and point to the central object." 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 127 

" Men will not be scolded into belief. They will not 
fully admit of doctrines which are discordant with their 
conceptions of what nature instructs them to be, the 
benevolence of God. 

"Another circumstance has impaired the influence of the 
clergy. Presidents, Governors, Judges, and ministers, 
should never be partizans. Too many ministers have 
meddled, not so much with general and everlasting prin- 
ciple, as with local and temporary dogmas of factions. 
Hence they separated, as all partizans must, from their 
opponents. Their influence in society was consequently 
diminished. In sects, whether political or religious, 
union of individuals constitute party. Party must act, as 
such ; religion becomes implicated, and enlisted, and 
both must unite. Hence combination to obtain power in 
order to enforce what they conceive to be right ; till final- 
ly, actual hostility ensues, not with swords, but on the 
same principles, and with the same interest, as originated 
all the wars of persecution which have been unjustly at- 
tributed, by sceptics, to religion itself. The shrewd poli- 
tician, in the mean time, sees in this organization of the 
clergy, an essential part of the machine, with which they 
proposed to operate on political society. Hot headed 
zealots were encouraged to thunder from their pulpits — 
till being no longer wanted, they were neglected, and the 
most outrageous fell into contempt — a warning to their 
successors never to lend their talents to the cause of any 
political party, however deeply they may be convinced of 
its rectitude. 

*' We in this place, disposed to strengthen the hand 
and encourage the heart, as the proper way of calling tal- 
ents into action, determined to have no preacher who was 
not only independent of politics and party, but would ad- 



128 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

here strictly to the ancient Congregational independence ; 
devoted exclusively to the religious and moral instruction 
of the people, secured to ourselves the talents of a man, 
which old Massachusetts rejected, but who is every way 
capable, and earnest to promote improvement. 

*' The qualities we sought for we knew would make a 
minister popular ; and a union with the Baptist minister 
respecting means of improvement, would produce harmo- 
ny, among the people. Both being ambitious to promote 
general intellectual improvement, the state of society we 
think has been essentially benefited ; our society has be- 
come intelligent, and liberal ; and our schools have been 
very much advanced — but you will visit our schools, 
and judge for yourself" Assenting, the gentleman con- 
ducted me first to a primary school ; then to the town 
school, and next to the academy. 

" In the primary school was there not too much re- 
straint ? Is not the practice of some of the Boston schools 
better ? In these, exercise and cheerfulness are studied, 
as less counteracting the indications of nature. It is at 
a more advanced age that children become frivolous, but 
even then the frivolity of grown persons far exceeds that 
of youth. The careless play of instinct is superseded by 
vanity under the garb of reason. Children, on the con- 
trary, are ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, and delight 
in the vagaries of young imagination. If you supply them 
with toys, these are soon disjointed in order to discover 
the interior contrivance. A watch gives them no note 
of time, but it must be broken open to observe its won- 
derful machinery. This done, ihey fly to something else. 
Nothing suits them long. Yet if these toys are not sup- 
plied, they invent amusements for themselves. They set 
up a row of bricks, and touching the last in the series, 
watch the impetus given in succession till the whole lie 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 129 

prostrate. The enterprise is accomplished, and the shout 
of pleasure is as hearty as that of the successful engineer 
who springs his destructive mine, and prostrates the walls 
of a fortress. They dig in the sand hills, and make 
ovens ; they build houses with sticks and bushes ; they 
invite company, arrange the guests, furnish the viands, 
and go through all the ceremonies of the tea-table ; they 
imitate military manouvres, and read and preach without 
knowing a letter. Their inventive and imitative faculties 
are always at work. It is at this age peculiarly danger- 
ous to have any thing equivocal in action, look, or word, 
for deception in action, word or look, offers a precedent 
that is never obliterated. They seek truth in things ; 
they ask the solution of questions ; and a deviation from 
truth will be detected, for they remember a former con- 
struction, and apply it to another subject: confidence is 
lost by the slightest prevarication : doubt is substituted 
for innocent frankness ; thoughts are concealed, and the 
foundation of a bad character is laid. The vices of pa- 
rents are not unfrequently alleged as mitigating or ex- 
cusing the faults of children. " Quakers," said the gen- 
tleman, " attend more to the cultivation of the mind than 
of the body. I do not mean by the study of books, but 
by example and conversation. Children in cities are 
likewise instructed in the same manner, but not in the 
same kind. What is held as supremely excellent, makes 
deep impressions. And what can appear to children more 
supremely excellent than what are the subjects of daily 
conversation ? And what subjects are so predominant as 
parties — dress — fashions — courtship — marriages,— novels, 
&LC. &LC. ? Mothers, sisters, and visitors all unite in discus- 
sing these subjects. Hence the young mind is taught to 
consider them as all important. Hence they grow up in 
a hot-bed of frivolity ; and when they become parents, 



130 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

they must continue in the same course from habit. The 
conversation in Quaker families, on the contrary, is nev- 
er thus wasteful, — but is always about things in them- 
selves useful and improving ; and the cjiildren of Qua- 
kers hear nothing about such things, till .their judgment 
is so matured, as to reject them as beneath the dignity of 
a rational being." 

The tovvn schools are generally conducted by compe- 
tent teachers. Too much however is expected, and too 
little done. Too much is expected by parents, and too 
much attempted by systems ; and too little is done 
through oral instruction to awaken thought, and excite 
ingenuity. A scholar has nothing to do, but to get by 
rote, or copy by rule, a lesson that requires only reten- 
tion. There is as much difference in these methods, as 
there is between plenitude and poverty in the acquisition 
of the arts of life; between a person who has to forage 
for himself, and one that has the means by which every 
wish is anticipated. The one is ingenious, contriving, 
improving on every suggestion, and learns to reason 
through necessity. The other is dependent, limited in 
resources, and can seldom substitute any thing for the gol- 
den lever with which he has been accustomed to lift every 
burden. In short, the person of limited means, acquires 
infinitely more power over the affairs of life, than the one 
who is furnished with every thing spontaneously. Ne- 
cessity is truly the mother of invention ; and invention 
is the most improving exercise of the mind. Curiosity, 
on the contrary, attains its end and ceases. Curiosity is 
terminable — Invention, progressive. The thousand con- 
trivances of others to gratify curiosity, are far less stimu- 
lating than a single invention by which we are made sen- 
sible of our own power. Success in producing something 
ingenious or useful, encourages us more to continue our 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 131 

efforts, than a whole museum of articles already furnish- 
ed by others, and of which we have only the inspection 
and the handling. 

Mothers very judiciously teach their girls to fabricate 
and arrange the dresses of the dolls, for the purpose of 
instructing them in the use of the needle. If they were 
occasionally to extend their employment to objects by 
which they would become sensible of their power to com- 
municate good to others ; if they would bestow the same 
cost on materials to clothe some destitute object, and al- 
low the child to feel the gratification of assisting by actu- 
ally providing for and patronizing such a one, what a new 
and powerful motive would be given for their industry, and 
how impressive would be the lessons on their own hearts, 
which such acts would furnish 1 How would it secure 
them from an exclusive regard to self? Without expos- 
ing them to the contamination of vulgarity, they might 
visit Glenburney without learning its language. By let- 
ting them see that people could live contentedly and hap- 
pily without any of the luxuries or conveniences, to which 
they themselves were accustomed and deemed necessary, 
would it not check the growth of that arrogance, fastidi- 
ousness, and pride, and frivolousness which so early bud 
in the sunny apartments of the wealthy and elegant fam- 
ilies of cities? Those among the rich and educated, 
who at a more advanced period of life, have entered into 
thesocial connexions of charitable societies, have hence de- 
rived some of their sweetest pleasures ; and some have re- 
gretted that this source of knowledge, as well as of be- 
nevolence, was not disclosed to them while they were, as 
Miss C**** called it idling away the morning in orna- 
menting a Dutch image — or as Miss P**** said, while 
she was devourins: a carl load of romances. 

We next visited the academy. The boys and girls as- 



132 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

semble in diiTerent apartments, under the superintend- 
ance of preceptors of their own sex. Some of the boys 
were fitting for College, but most of them for the active 
business of life. As this was a higher establishment, de- 
signed to complete the education which had been carried 
to a certain extent in the town schools, it was expected that 
every one should be well acquainted with all the elemen- 
tary branches taught in those primary schools; such as 
writing, arithmetic, reading and grammar, and immedi- 
ately commence the study of higher branches. 

This however was not the case. Notwithstanding that 
during the daily studies in these higher branches, all his 
previous acquirements must necessarily be brought into 
practice, the boy was still condemned to pore over the 
pages of Murray the greater part of the day, and even to 
continue the same process while he remained in the acad- 
emy. 

The inability of nine tenths of the pupils when they 
leave the schools to apply a rule or parse a sentence in 
which they have not been drilled, seems to show some de- 
fect in the system of instruction. That a habit of atten- 
tion and of accuracy is acquired by this process may be 
doubted. Young people in former times were shut up 
the greater part of the sabbath day, and compelled to 
study, religion as it was called, in Henry's five folio vol- 
umes of commentaries on the bible, Burkit on the New 
Testament, Flavel's Navigation spiritualized, Ames' Med- 
ula, or some such abstruse works, and the effect was, a 
disgust, and almost abhorrence of every religious work ; 
and so it is with grammar and all the books of lessons 
which youth are compelled to study and re-study during 
four or five tedious years. Even new books of the same 
class, serve not the purpose of varying the study, and of 
exciting the curiosity ; for what curiosity can be excit- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 133 

ed by presenting the same subject in the new style of 
another compiler ? The millenary is different, but the , 
body is the same. The imagination of youth is lively 
and excursive, and no lessons can have such attractions 
for young minds as not to weary by daily repetition. 
This routine furnishes neither subjects of comparison, by 
which judgment is formed ; nor variety by which imagi- 
nation is enlarged ; nor views of actions and situations by 
which the heart is affected ; nor topics by which conver- 
sation is supplied. 

"But youth," say the Preceptors, " must not be indulg- 
ed in desultory studies." No. You must tread the mill, 
in order to run the race. *' Young minds would be dis- 
tracted with variety, and would not know where to fix." 
Would they ? — would they not read with avidity and im- 
provement, books which are full of action; and which 
open to their view the realities of life? If they can be 
made to understand grammar, as you admit they can, by 
the labor you compel them to bestow on it, they can un- 
derstand history, narratives of voyages, travels, and such 
books as give a real knowledge of tangible objects. If 
you would give them abstract, or moral notions, why not 
give them pegs to hang they ideas on, and rounds on which 
they can climb? What signifies it, to order a boy as you 
do to compose a theme on the immortality of^the soul ; on 
political economy ; on virtue ; who is not furnished with 
examples to which his ideas will attach ? Ask the masters 
themselves, whether the philosophy of grammar was not 
with them a matter of late acquisition? Whether they 
ever thought the niceties of grammar to be of much mo- 
ment till they determined to become instructors either by 
speech or writing? and whether all that was necessary, 

was not understandingly obtained with little attention, 
12 



134 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

after their minds were matured by the knowledge of 
things ? 

So, with regard to reading, that neglected, yet greatest 
and best of all accomplishments, what gives facility but 
extensive practice ? How is the ear tuned, and the per- 
ception quickened, without hearing others ? or the capac- 
ity of the voice ascertained, or cultivated, and modulated 
without hearing himself? How is the extension, the 
force, the strength, the sweetness of a language distin- 
guished but by an intimacy with the various styles in 
which different subjects are treated ? This general and 
diifusive reading teaches grammar through practice. We 
reverse the order of nature, and get the language by gram- 
mar, instead of grammar by language. Scholars used to 
system, deem that method infallible by which they were 
taught. The sun moves, and the earth stands still, 
Ptolemy taught ; and Galileo was an innovator, say the 
cardinals still. But a youth cannot enter College unless 
he can pass a critical examination. Be it so. A con- 
formity to the rules of a public establishment is proper 
for every one who voluntarily selects a profession. A man 
that proposes to exhibit before the public, must move 
correctly in the prescribed figure ; but very few are of this 
class. 

As reading, various and extensive reading, shows the 
copiousness, the precision, and the perspicuity, of the lan- 
guage, so it generates ideas, opens the mind, disciplines 
the understanding and judgment, and teaches more of 
correctness and discrimination in the use of language 
than the exclusive study of grammar possibly can. 

But in almost all schools, the great object seems to be 
to make the scholars tliorougli^ as the saying is, in the 
rules ; and this thoroughness, passes too often, with the 
visiting committee, for proficiency. Exhibition day comes, 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISSEOGEE. 135 

and applause follows. In all this there may be some 
quackery. He who can show a painted map, and tell 
where the prominent features and capes are, is complete 
in Geography ; but it is a chance if he can tell the course 
a ship sails from Boston to London, or knows so much of 
the topography of his own state, as to line out the road to 
any of the great towns, rivers and mountains whose 
names are familiar. Notwithstanding this, we get on 
wonderfully well, and beat all the world! But might we 
not get on better ? Instead of studies being monotonous 
and repulsive, might they not be rendered pleasant, and 
full of hope and encouragement ? 

Six scholars of the^rs^ class of a public school I once 
visited, performed several exercises, both of mental arith- 
metic according to Colburn, and of ' the manual, by the 
pencil and slate. These being finished, the preceptor, 
with an affectation of indifference, and a seeming con- 
fidence that his visitors would be astonished at the rapid- 
ity of the calculation, and the correctness of the result, 
stated a question, which appeared to all of us so compli- 
cated as to require considerable time, and many lines of 
figures to solve ; but, to our surprise, scarcely was it sta- 
ted, before every boy held up his slate as a sign that it 
was done. The committee could not but admire the 
readiness which so well displayed the attainments of the 
youth in this most useful branch of study ; and agreed 
that the preceptor must possess uncommon powers for 
teaching. One of the committee thought so rare an oc- 
currence should be made public, as an excitement to oth- 
er instructors; and accordingly honorable mention was 
made of it in the next Gazette. 

On mentioning this to a mathematician, he smiled, and 
opening a book, showed me the same sum done in a 
short way, observing that there were several hundreds of 



136 EXCUUSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

the like kind at the end of many books of arithmetic ; not 
used, or admitted by any teacher as practical examples ; 
but allowed to be used as recreating questions. 

In the school we now were visiting, a class was next 
arranged to be examined in rhetoric. This is considered 
as a finishing branch ; including reading, grammar, style 
&LC. An abridgment of Blair was the only book studied. 
Let a nation begin to think, even about algebra, said D' 
Alembert, and it will soon think correctly on other sub- 
jects. So let a youth think on the art, and the principles 
of rhetoric, and every branch of literature will more stu- 
diously engage his attention. The scholars however had 
not yet learned to exercise any powers of their own, be- 
yond that of memory. They could recite correctly the 
rules and observations of Blair, but did not extend them 
farther. They could call over the names of the great au- 
thors, with as much facility as the students in geography 
could name places. 

The elements of experimental philosophy are likewise 
here taught. One of the committee informed me that 
an apparatus was soon to be added. I was sorry to hear 
that, unless it were to be of the most simple, cheap, and 
plain construction ; being of opinion, that most young 
minds attach all the science exclusively to the instrument. 

The late Mr. Cummings, one of the most successful In- 
structors I ever knew, used to say, that it ivas in the 
power of a competent instructor to make the necessary in- 
struments of demonstration grow out of the mind of the 
pupil. Egg shells of different sizes, hoops, and wires, 
constituted his apparatus. 

Together with the friends of the pupils, about a dozen 
scientific and literary gentlemen were present at the 
quarterly examination of his female school a few years 
ago. They were informed that no one had been taught 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 137 

to recite in the language of any author ; their instruc- 
tion being by conversation only. The gentlemen were 
requested to ask any questions they pleased, on any of 
the branches which were taught in the school. The 
questions were miscellaneous; skipping without any or- 
der or connexion, from astronomy to geography, arithme- 
tic, optics &:.c. All the scholars, save one who failed 
through diffidence, returned correct answers in their own 
words, even to questions that required considerable com- 
binations of thought. The Professor of Philosophy, on 
coming out, told me that he had never witnessed a more 
general and correct knowledge of astronomy on the exami- 
nation of a collegiate class. 

Few however, possess that peculiar faculty of touching 
the keys of intellect so as to cause vibrations responsive 
to the wish of the master. A peculiar tact at seizing on 
the first rising; of a wish, or the first intimation of curios- 
ity in the mind of the pupil, and of attracting it attentive- 
ly to the single object of desire, seemingly without any 
other aim than the gratification of a laudable curiosity, 
made Mr. C. the fascinating leader while he appeared on- 
ly the fellow inquirer, after a true explanation of every 
phenomenon. 

He always had a motive, and casual suggestions would 
lead to remote conclusions. The memoirs of Dr. Frank- 
lin, and the notice of his kite, caused some inquiries a- 
bout Electricity, and the lads were desirous of seeing the 
operation of an electric instrument. They were gradually 
led from this to other topics — lightning — the aurora Borea- 
lis — meteors — the production of fire by friction — wheth- 
er fire was of the same nature as liwhtnincr &c. — Curios- 
ity being intensely engaged, one of the boys was di- 
rected to enter a dark closet, and rub a large dry decan- 
ter with flannel, or silk, the other boys wailing without. 
12* 



138 EXCURSION TO WiNNIPISEOGEE. 

They soon heard an exclamation, and the boy rushed out, 
playfully exclaiming that he * was on Jire.' *A plate of 
glass 12 inches square was then placed on the table, and 
one made to rub it in the same manner, and sparks soon 
appeared. After some conversation, mathematics were 
resorted to, which led to the conclusion that if twelve 
inches of glass would produce so much fire, twenty-four 
inches would give double that quantity — again, that if 
the number of times which the hand went over the twelve 
inches could be increased to twenty-four, the same would 
be effected ; but the hand could not be moved so swiftly 
as tha fliers of a spinning wheel, — at length, one of the 
boys started in ecstasy, exclaiming, / have it, a glass as 
as big as our grindstone, and whirled in the same manner 
will be completely the thing wanted. The complete 
idea of an electric instrument, as a means and not an 
end, was thus fixed, and ever after all Instruments were 
known to be but modifications on, or improvements in 
power, of this simple machine ; and that the sparks which 
they shook from their flannels when undressing on a cold 
winter night were electric showers of that invisible fluid 
which is diffused through all nature ; around him, and 
in him — and thus, if the master please to moralize, he 
might illustrate the universality and omnipresence of the 
invisible Deity. 

If in any one thing Mr. C*** was more strictly syste- 
matic, than in another, it was to what the French call the 
art Raconter or narration in which they excel. Proper 
words in proper places were required in all cases ; and he 
considered conversation as much an exercise of improve- 
ment as any other part of education. Every error in the 
language in which any thought, both in familiar discourse 
amonof themselves, and in the more formal communica- 
tion with the teacher, must be corrected, and never re- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 139 

peated. Never, said he, reject a word that is proper, 
nor seek for one that is more elegant ; for this inevitably 
causes hesitation. Those which you know, and come 
voluntarily, are sufficient — their grace depends on their 
positions ; reading and conversation will increase their 
number, and those which flow with ideas are always nat- 
ural. And above all things acquire the power of maintain- 
ing a perfect composure; haste produces confusion; 
thinking for a better word, hesitation and affectation. 
Precision and perspicuity are the two great requisites of 
conversation as well as of writing : other qualities are 
required and will be insensibly attained in composition. 
And it must be remembered that a language, or the prop- 
er use of words is not be learned from a dictionary, but that 
the true meaning and use of the word is to be learned by 
the sense it has when combined in a sentence, and this 
requires practice and extensive reading. 

Thus his scholars were not more to be remarked for 
their rightly understanding every thing they studied, than 
for the fluency, simplicity and even grace displayed in 
their common talk. And this was still more to be re- 
marked, as it is rarely attended to in schools even of the 
highest order : vulgarities, and errors in grammar in 
common intercourse, being never noticed by masters 
save in recitations of lessons; and to the shame of pa- 
rents, is neglected in the daily intercourse, where all 
which the schools have taught, is to be shaped and pol- 
ished into useful ends. ** 'Tis the parent which shapes the 
ends, rough hew them as you will." 

Fortunate are those children, whose parents, less fond- 
ling and indulgent to their own selfish gratification, al- 
ways bear in mind, that manners are of their peculiar for- 
mation ; and that ease, copiousness, and grace in con- 
versation are great and useful accomplishments. And 



140 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

that these are to be learned at home, and become a hab- 
it, never wanting public occasions to call forth those ap- 
plauses which vain people are always desirous of obtain- 
ing for the displays in music, dancing and dress of their 
children, and for which they are not seldom privately 
ridiculed by the like sister aspirants. 

In the Academy for females, the pupils were pursuing 
studies suitable to their ages, in several apartments under 
the superintendance of assistant instructors ; though at 
stated hours they assembled in one room for general ex- 
ercises. 

The arrangement of the establishment appeared to be 
dissimilar to that of any other seminary ; and we found 
the studies to be more various and extensive, though far 
less laborious and sedentary. 

In conversation with the Preceptress, she said that 
Madame Genlis, and Miss Edge worth, had furnished her 
with many hints, on which she had endeavoured to im- 
prove in practice. She professed not to give a showy, 
but a useful education ; and happily the parents were 
such reasonable people as to prefer a general knowledge 
of the affairs of the active world, to the more recondite, or 
fashionable studies. She wished to appear as little as possible 
to givedirect instructions, but to leave her pupils to instruct 
themselves. If she could excite attention to the aspect of 
nature, and lead her scholars to discriminate the few sim- 
ple principles which entered into the composition of all 
bodies, producing an infinite variety by the mere propor- 
tion and distribution of parts, curiosity would be sufficient- 
ly active to keep them in corporeal and mental exercise. 
The vegetable and the mineral kingdom, would at least 
make every pleasurable walk a source of instruction ; 
and every step in the knowledge of the economy of na- 
ture must enlarge and exalt their minds. 



' EXCUKSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 141 

In one room was a table covered with plants, and 
another with fragments of rocks. These were picked 
up during their walks, and reserved for examination at 
leisure ; then to be separated, and assigned, according to 
some specific property, to different parcels. Thus on ex- 
amining the flowers, similar characters designated the 
family to which they belonged. Families were again 
designated by names; and these families were again sub- 
divided according to their deviations from the primary 
characteristic. Thus, one of the girls pointed us to a 
superb wild flower. That, said she, we call Eve, and those 
are her children, twenty seven in number, all varying in 
some particular from each other, but agreeing in one gen- 
eral family character. 

There, said another, are seven primitive chrystals, and 
here are fifteen specimens of the rocks which compose 
the hills in this neighborhood ; and they are all formed 
by a combination of those seven, in different proportions. 

Thus without any knowledge of Linnaeus or any sys- 
tematizer, they were acquiring a practical knowledge of 
botany and mineralogy. Nothing was suffered to pass 
without notice ; every tree was known ; and from the woods 
and meadows, specimens of every plant had been trans- 
planted to the garden, so as to form a complete collection 
of native flowering shrubs, forming a luxuriant display of 
natural beauty. 

A kitchen garden, laid out in squares, was wholly cul- 
tivated by some of the scholars, and which furnished 
some knowledge of vegetation and horticulture. Every 
little plantation partook of the nature of private and of 
public property. That is, each was the property of one 
for cultivation, and the property of the seminary for use ; 
the products, when wanted for the table, being appraised, 
and the value credited to the owners' account. 



142 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

The business of the world, so little understood by fe- 
males so far as it could be shown in such an institution, 
was exemplified, by a mercantile system. The lessons, of 
course, both of hand writing and arithmetic, were practi- 
cally connected with business. And the account books 
of each scholar, were kept with great neatness, and cor- 
rectness. The method adopted was on principles that 
apply to useful purposes : to form habits of well regulated 
economy, and correctness, while it cherished benevo- 
lent affections by making prudence the means of useful- 
ness to others ; and the end of industry. 

This plan was much aided by another. At the com- 
mencement of each term, the pocket money of every 
girl was placed in a common treasury, constituting a 
bank ; the contribution of each being subject to her order 
alone, without restriction or inquiry. For the purpose of 
practising and understanding accounts, the money was 
drawn out by orders or checks ; the amount charged in 
the Bank-book, and credited by the scholar in her own. 
In her own book she charged the Bank with the sura de- 
posited, and herself with every disbursement; and at cer- 
tain periods every account was examined, and settled in 
both books, and the balance paid over according to its 
appropriation. This balance, instead of being paid to 
be expended by each individual on herself, had a specific 
appropriation of a charitable nature, involving two mo- 
tives of great utility — that of prudence, and of benevolence. 
Thus if the stock was forty dollars, and but thirty had 
been drawn out, the balance of ten was destined for the 
benefit of the poor children of the Sunday school. The 
distribution of this was a new and powerful stimulus. 
This method precluded all that exercise of judgment 
which frequently compels the distributors of the Frank- 
lin Medals to witness the most violent emotions of sensi- 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 143 

bility in those who are unsuccessful candidates, for here 
nothing is left to discretion : the balance of the book, is 
the absolute rule of decision ; and no jealous feelings 
are roused, while the active motive is of the noblest self- 
denying nature. 

Instead of paying these balances into the hands of the 
governors of the Sunday school, each scholar is her own 
almoner. By general consent, the balance was appor- 
tioned among those, who, without denying themselves 
any gratification or committing any breach of decorum, 
had not expended the full amount of their own money. 
During the term, the girls were induced to notice the 
poor children, and select the subjects on which they 
would bestow their charity. Accordingly on the receipt 
of their balances, they immediately proceeded to invest 
the money in articles of necessity ; and to carry and be- 
stow them on the children they had selected. 

In short, in this institution, in addition to the usual 
studies, the whole business of house-wifery, extending to 
the art of buying and selling, the fabrication of clothes, 
&c. &c. were attended to and understood ; and even 
the superintendance of the kitchen, and parlor, was per- 
formed in rotation. And the great engine which was 
the spring of the whole, was the application of all the en- 
ergy of an inventive mind. 

On alighting at the Hotel, we were received very 
courteously by the landlord, and ushered into a 
room that had the appearance of city elegance. Not 
long after, supper was announced. Passing through 
a spacious entry, the door of a large hall was opened, and 
a show of considerable magnificence was presented. A 
table, long enough to accommodate sixty persons, stood 
covered with furniture that would be thought rather too 
costly for a very reputable tavern in the capital. It is too 



144 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

often the case, that country Inn-keepers overload their 
tables with superfluous dishes, deeming that abun- 
dance is the perfection of good house-keeping. It is 
rare that one is found, who has the good taste, to hit on 
the proper medium between profusion and parsimony ; 
and so to arrange the substantial and ornamental parts of 
the entertainment, as to please the eye of the most fastidi- 
ous by their order, and the appetite of all, by the variety 
of viands, and goodness of cooking. 

Two elegant young women, moved silently about the 
room, now and then pointing the servants to something 
either to be removed, or supplied. But if the arrange- 
ments of the room and table surprised us a little, the 
sight of about forty gentlemen dressed as guests for some 
civic feast, surprised us more. 

We at first, doubted whether we ought not to retire 

from a company to which we had no introduction ; but we 

remained on being informed that these were members of 

~ the Legislature then in session, who lodged at the Hotel. 

Mr. B ^ an old acquaintance, and now a member 

of the House of Representatives, came up, and after due 
civilities had passed, conducted us to seats, and during 
supper, acquainted us with the~ character of many of the 
leading members of the assembly ; and invited us to at- 
tend the debates on the morrow, when an important polit- 
ical question was expected to call forth the talents of the 
most prominent characters among the two parties which 
divided the State. 

On asking for some explanation respecting the ap- 
pearance of the members at the table, whose dress 
and address, were so remarkably distinguished from 
the Members of the Legislature of Massachusetts, he re- 
plied, that peculiar circumstances influenced the elections 
of this year, and fewer farmers were returned than usual; 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 145 

— '* though I think," said he, " that in the numerous as- 
sembly of Massachusetts, generally there is a greater 
proportion of yeomen, than in the assembly of New Hamp- 
shire. You do not see our farmers ; they mostly put up 
at prirate houses ; lawyers, physicians, and traders, take 
lodgings at a more expensive Hotel ; so that you see here 
a select body of persons, who having had, from the na- 
ture of their several callings, a more extensive intercourse 
with polished society, have acquired a little more taste in 
dress, and more ease and confidence of manners — togeth- 
er perhaps with a more worldly ambition, and an undaun- 
ted spirit of intrigue. New Hampshire, you know, is an 
agricultural, though called the Granite State. It is 
strictly granite in heart, though that heart may be, and is, 
wrought upon by the numerous tools incessantly employed 
in stamping upon it the image of some idol to be wor- 
shipped. In what class of mortals such tools are most 
abundant ; whether in that which is insatiable for civic 
honors; or tormented with a restless spirit of change ; on 
or leaping after wealth on the railroad of power ; certain 
it is, hat the great mass of the N. H. population are dispos- 
ed to sit quietly under their own orchard trees, and so would 
remain, did not the loud and frequent calls from abroad 
disturb their repose, and create a belief of some real 
danger. No man thinks that he is under the influence 
of another; but is gratified by finding the other coincid- 
ing with him in opinion. The more artful take advan- 
tage of this weakness, and honest self-love is made the 
dupe of the designing. The principles of liberty are so 
interwoven in the constitution of the people, that the least 
surmise of its danger, arouses their jealousy, and he who 
succeeds in inflaming this passion, has a powerful ele- 
ment at his command. 

While the honest yeoman, resting in the rectitude of 
13 



146 ' EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

his principles, and believing that the civic constitution em- 
bodies those principles as the rule of all the acts of the Gov- 
ernment, he is peculiarly liable to admit the unfavorable 
constructions which are made on those acts by interested 
and artful politicians. Not having leisure, nor means of 
analyzing the whole operations of Government, the con- 
struction which is openly and boldly given by demagogues 
is readily admitted, till they accumulate into a mass of 
evidence which makes him believe that all the meas- 
ures of a particular administration are but parts of a sys^ 
tem calculated to violate his principles, and undermine 
or overthrow the constitution. Under this impression, 
hebecomes the member of a party, and supports all their 
measures even should the agents be otherwise considered 
as dishonest men. 

" In fact, antifederalism, or whatever name be used, is 
but the effervescence of that party lever, which, for a time 
puts the whole body in commotion, but which state being 
unnatural or accidental, finally subsides into that pure 
and genuine Republicanism, which constitutes the heart 
and soul of his being. 

" The fibres of liberty are in the very soil of humanity. 
They may be checked, but never killed. Compression 
gives strength, and the heaviest as well as the lightest 
load, is thrown of by their vigor. Liberty is the univer- 
sal attribute of man, and it is developed by cultivation. 
Its light and its heat radiate from every sentient being — 
at first, weak and diffused, but converging through con- 
densing lens, gathers to a focus, and withers every obsta- 
cle that attempts to intercept its power. Hence the great 
men whom History immortalizes, are but the organs of 
public feeling, and serve to mark the age with intellectu- 
al glory, or to brand it with the disgrace of moral degra- 
dation. 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGrEE. 14T 

** In the rectitude of the public mind, lies the stability of 
social order ; and the whole art of legislation is so to com- 
mute individual interest, as to make even the conflicting 
harmonize with the general good. While the individual 
seeks his own exclusive interest, the philosophic States- 
man, seeing all the parts of the system, and anticipating 
the bearing of every single act, raises up other interests, 
by the collision of which, the best effects may result from 
contrary and violent measures. Every man thinks justly 
on single subjects, but only he, who by reflection analyzes 
and generalizes and condenses his thoughts, and has the 
art of conveying the just conceptions of his own mind 
in the clear and perspicuous language of common sense, 
possesses the power of making truth visible. And this 
is the perfection of that oratory which is simple, clear 
and impressive ; from which reason cannot escape ; and 
conviction is the consequence. 'Tis the perversity of 
wrong motives, and insane passions only, that violate 
the consciousness of truth. 

" Observe," continued he," that little man. Hear 
him dictate : what a confident tone ! what a consequen- 
tial nod ! He has long been the organ of a great par- 
ty ; and often the trumpeter of sedition. He is possessed 
of mischievous talents, and they are always employed in 
intrigue. Power has been his great object, and decep- 
tion the means of obtaining it. He made himself too 
strong to be neglected when his party succeeded. He 
has a list of persons for every office, and the heads of de- 
partments dare not reject his nominations. Already his 
menials have been promoted to good livings, but they are 
of such a voracious cast, that the regular emoluments of 
office will not gorge their appetites; and all enormities 
pass without notice, provided the men are true to their 
master, and do his bidding without regard to means. " Or- 



148 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

dinary services," says Mr. Burke, " must be secured by 
the motives to ordinary integrity ; but I do not hesitate 
to say, that that State, which lays its foundation in rare 
and heroic virtues, will be sure to have its superstructure 
in the basest profligacy and corruption. An honorable 
and fair profit is the best security against avarice and ra- 
pacity ; as in all things else, a lawful and regular enjoy- 
ment is the best security against debauchery and excess. 
For as wealth is power, so all power will infallibly draw 
wealth to itself by some means or other ; and when men 
are left no way of ascertaining their profits but their 
means of obtaining them, those means will be increased to 
infinity." If such were the majority of the people, we 
might despair of the Republic ; but there is a redeeming 
hope, that the good sense of the public will reassume its 
energy, and emerge from the present cloud of infatua- 
tion. 

*' When offices," continued he, '* are impartially dis- 
tributed, opposing parties neutralize each other, as they 
did in Washington's time. When they are conferred ex- 
clusively on partizans, a powerful and mischievous body 
is arrayed in the midst of the State ; they constitute a 
ministerial army. They annoy the peaceable, and stimu- 
late the unprincipled. They rake open the dens, and 
drag to the poll every profligate. They station them- 
selves at every corner ; they waylay every voter ; they 
inspect every ballot, and return to the black-book of the 
Bureau the name of every one who dares to exercise his 
civic right of voting conscientiously. They become tyranni- 
cal and oppressive, by hanging together, not to support the 
laws they are bound to execute, but to spy out actions, and 
forage for plunder ; they lose all regard to equity and de- 
cency by the association of numbers; nothing short of 
gross enormities can endanger their places ; nothing good 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 149 

can be expected from their principles ; and yet, singular 
as it may appear, it is the very moral feeling of the pub- 
lic, that prevents these people from being driven with 
contempt from the poll. A profound respect for general 
rights being the glory of Republicanism, they submit to 
minor evils for the sake of sacred principles." Though 
vituperative, there probably was m.uch truth in Mr. B's 
observations. 

The debates in the house were of the same nature, 
and not more interesting than those of our own Legisla- 
ture ; saving that in the smaller assembly, motions on 
trivial subjects were less numerous, and the ambition of 
legislating less active. A large Representation exhibits 
a better picture of society at large ; a small and more se- 
lect number, converges the wisdom of the State. The 
Knights of Chivalry, had a retinue of non-combatants ; 
each modern Knight of Legislation, has as numerous a 
train, whose sole occupation seems to be that of seconding 
the motion, or of encumbering the march of his princi- 
pals. There is always a strange propensity in large as- 
semblies to legislate on small affairs ; every private or lo- 
cal inconvenience, is proposed to be remedied, and laws are 
passed for those purposes, to which all but the interested 
are indifferent. 

One of the greatest evils of a popular assembly arises 
out of the liability to change, before its members have time 
to become practically aquainted with its rules and orders ; 
much less with the general principles of Legislation. A 
project, popular in a Town or County, will frequently 
produce a change in the whole representation. Hence 
few, or no members will be found, whose knowledge of 
public affairs, and intimate acquaintance with previous en- 
actments, enables them to detect and expose the incon- 
sistencies, and interferences of the measure proposed 
13* 



150 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

with the provisions already in force. And hence the 
most partial, and frequently iniquitous enactments are 
made, while general laws are sketched so imperfectly, as 
to require endless revision on revision. *' Laws," says 
Montesquieu, " should not interfere where public opinion 
will rectify." Common Law is public conscience ; and 
where public conscience is enchained to the Statute 
Book, society is liberated from this great law of nature; 
morals are measured by artificial rules ; and the gener- 
ous and noble spirit of humanity, thrust out of the con- 
gregation of the legally righteous, by, what is called, the 
perfection of human reason. " I reqsiire," says Shylock, 
'' nothing more than what the bond specifies." 

" One consideration, however," said Mr. B., " recon- 
ciles me to a large representative assembly ; for, with re- 
spect to the unnecessary consumption of time in debate, — 
apopular objection— I find little difference between a House 
of Representatives of 500 and a Senate of 40. Legisla- 
tors havinof to act upon all subjects which relate to social 
life, require a minute knowledge of the concerns of men 
in society ; and this, their own experience cannot give. 
The representatives of every class and profession can 
alone supply its place. These representatives likewise 
acquire a knowledge, not only of the general principles 
of government, but of the vast variety of subjects in de- 
tail on which government is to act. From such descrip- 
tions much is added to every man's small stock, and he 
goes back, and diffuses among his constituents, knowl- 
edge that they otherwise could not obtain." 

On arriving at H , we found the door of the Ho- 
tel besieged by a crowd of people. A number of young 
women, emigrating from a remote factory, were discharg- 
ed from two stage coaches at the door. It appeared that 
these passengers, displeased with some new regulations, 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. l5l 

had left their employment in disgust, and having no means 
of paying their fare, were refused conveyance any further. 
The town's people were remonstrating against this pro- 
ceeding, and threatened the drivers with prosecution for 
leaving paupers on the town. After much altercation, 
the women were re-embarked, and proceeded on their 
search for employment in some other factory. The di- 
rectors of most factories are very sedulous to promote 
economy among the work people ; but however prudent- 
ly disposed a girl may be, it is almost impossible to check 
improvidence where a great number congregate, and the 
natural disposition for amusement and dress is cherished 
by association. Where savings Banks have been estab- 
lished, a spirit of economy has inevitably prevailed. In 
one factory we visited, it was made a condition that one 
per cent should be reserved out of all wages, for the pur- 
pose of supporting a Lyceum, for the benefit of the work 
people. 

Farewell, the country — we now approach the metropo- 
lis — and what good have we obtained by this tour to 
Winnipiseogee ? — Health ; one thing desirable — what 
more? the confirmation of the old opinion, that change 
is good for the mind and heart ; dissipating local preju- 
dices ; expanding the affections ; and rendering us less 
liable to be disturbed by trivial inconveniencies — what 
more ? impressions of nature that will remain as long as 
memory retains its power — and further, that pleasant 
recollections are far more useful, interesting, and influ- 
ential in life, than hope. 

And now, with the addition of the report of our friends 
who went out a few years ago in search of the centre of 
the earth, suppose you should sew these cards together, 
and when you go to Winnipiseogee two years hence, take 
them with you for the sake of comparing notes ? You 



152 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

know they are memoranda of thoughts and things with- 
out order, and written without any care, sometimes with- 
out ink, or the use of eye sight, — therefore with omis- 
sions which you have to supply, — orthography, grammar, 
and punctuation to correct — and to be regarded as con- 
versational only. 



Extracts from the Report of those who went out in search 
of the centre of the earth. 

And as we sojourned at the foot of mount Tug, we 
saw the gowns of the young prophets streaming to the 
wind, as they hastened onward, pulverizing the hard 
granite, and making the pillars of the solid hills to trem- 
ble with their determined tread. 

And the youthful academicians, ceasing their fencing 
exercise and their mimickry of the Trojan games, thrust 
their foils under their arms, as they ran from every quar- 
ter towards their several domiciles. 

And the grave doctors hastening from the venerable 
and beautiful oak-groves of the good man Abbot ; groves 
favourable to contemplation and full of the spirit of heav- 
enly prophecy ; took longer, but not quicker strides, as 
they rounded the corner of conventioner Kneeland, thick- 
ening as the cranes on the approach of a storm, and who, 
wheeling round Nantasket head, fly over the beach to- 
wards the firm land, and seek the covert of the dark shel- 
tering woods of the great blue hills. 

The maidens too, who had wandered to the top of Car- 
mel to inhale the balsamic fragrance of the dark foliaged 
spruce, and gather throb-repellent hearts-ease, and the 
red straw of the buck-wheat for bandelets. 

And she who, truant to the praying assembly, canopied 
by the ancient oak, hung over the azure waters of the 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 153 

Shawshin, spell bound by the wizard stream, and swel- 
led in her imagination every ripple to a mountain wave 
over which her destiny might lead : 

And she, to whose poetic eye every motion of leaf or 
wood or tumbling wave had charms, of power to impress 
her soul and engage her fancy ; to whom every dash of 
the mountain, water-fall suggested thoughts and images, 
.pure and brilliant as the diamond-sparkles, which che- 
quer the caverns of the deep, all glided rapidly along by 
the fences and walls, careful to avoid the reproving eye 
of the too severe matron, yet not unambitious of the na- 
tive look and courteous bow of the Virgilian, whose heart, 
always bounding to the innocent simplicity and the fem- 
inine graces of his fair Andoverians, gave impulse to 
an arm of courtesy. 

While Nomotheta and Nomarch, whose noctilucal 
countenances seemed yet sensible of the heresy of deep 
potations from the Armenian cydervaults of farmer O***, 
and the hale and panting young men, who after sporting 
on the lake had refreshed their spirits with the sweet diet 
drink, " tempered with drugs of sovereign power to as- 
suage" the disordered nerves, quitting the neat tables of 
white pine, issued from the low hut of the centenary Pom- 
pey, each taking a sedative of moss from the north side 
of an oak rail, and a lightning rod of house-leek, to ward 
off the chance discharge of a thunder cloud. 

All these and many more, a chequered multitude, has- 
tened homeward, scattered like pigeons which the Wil- 
mington hunter has frighted and dispersed by the burst- 
ing of his fowling-piece. 

For lo ! the tops of the distant Wachusett, and of the 
Monadnock, that form the weather-guage of the mariner 
of the Atlantic, and of the hunter roving towards the St. 
Lawrence, began to be shrouded in mist ; and soon the 
clouds ascending from the north, and the south and the 



154 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

east, and the west, congregated over the summit of mount 
Tug, darkling as the swallows, who at the autumnal 
summons assemble from all quarters on the willows of 
Cambridge, before they break wing and shower away to 
their several Hibernacula. 

And the rains of heaven descended upon the Academy, 
and the Institution, and flowed thence bountifully in ev- 
ery direction, filling the deep wells, swelling the rivers 
and causing the little brooks to bound, to sparkle, to mur- 
mer, and to sport with the virgin lillies that bent over, 
and receded, and nodded, and danced on their margins, 
like innocent maidens, when with gentle gaiety they fling 
dew-drops, and rose buds, and dashing laughter, among 
their companions. 

And the Andoverian said, surely this is the centre of 
the earth, for behold it toucheth the clouds, attracteth and 
condenseth the vapours, and thence diff'useth the wa- 
ters through all the regions of the world. 

And the waters, by their exaltation and tenuity, are pu- 
rified from all the feculencies of the lower climates, and 
possess the sweetness and softness of the Hermetic Nile, 
the cleansing and salubrious qualities of the Jordan, the 
soul-affecting efficacy of the Ganges, and the energizing 
power of the Mississippi. 

And is not this process of nature like unto that of the 
Institution that is situated on this summit 1 for here as- 
semble all the clouds and the waters of knowledge to be 
filtered and purified from the feculencies which they have 
passed, again to be poured out in refreshing and fertiliz- 
ing streams over the whole earth, truly indicating this to 
be the receptacle, and dispensing fountain of pure doc- 
trines? the source of the only element that will heal the 
Jeprous ? or that will change the heart, as the waters of 
the Potomac will remove the rotten fibre and substitute 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISSEOGEE. 155 

in the wood immersed therein, a firm and substantial 
whet-stone, capable of receiving a polish and of resisting 
change ? 

But a man of Salem lifted up his voice and said, Like 
many other people, ye vainly dream that you are over the 
centre of the earth ! How limited and contracted are 
the views of those whose understandinfrs are not enlarsr- 
ed by navigation, and who form theories upon insolated 
facts'? We too should have fallen into the vulgar error, 
had not the expert mariners of Salem descended the de- 
clivity of the ocean, and ascertained, that in returnincr 
from Archangel, and from Ceylon, and from South- Wales, 
and from Beerhing's straits, they had to ascend^ even to 
the inlet by Baker's Island 1 

Besides, in a moral view, all other people as they have 
declined from this primitive position, have degenerated 
and become corrupt. 

But this primitive race still retain their lofty bearing, 
and superior excellence, as they did when the warmth of 
public favour expanded the blossoms of John Endicott's 
benevolence, and prompted him to plant the green-bury 
pear-tree that now bends under the weight of its fruit, and 
showers upon his posterity of the seventh generation the 
bounteous refreshments of the season ? 

And besides, does there not remain on the pasture 
ground a huge rock balanced upon a pivot, which a 
child may turn, but which a man cannot overthrow ? 
How, if this were on the side of the earth, could it remain 
in an upright posture 1 

And while we journeyed into the interior, we came to 
a, wilderness of Pine barren, and we and our beasts thirst- 
ed, for there was no- brook for many miles. 

At length we discerned smoke curling over the high 
hemlocks, as though it came from the chimney of an in- 



156 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

habited house, for it was columnar and wreathed, and 
not diffused and pitchy, as is the smoke of extensive 
fires in the forests. 

And we encouraged our beasts to proceed, by promis- 
ing them water and refreshments, for thouo;h not refrac- 
tory, they wanted the alacrity which the distant smell of 
the provender of the Inn never fails to bestow. 

And we wandered about from the time of the opening 
of the wild rose, to the first inclination of its petals, for 
there was no path. 

At length the shining of the white wood of the fir- 
trees directed our steps ; for it was the custom to strip a 
hand's breadth of the wood and bark at short intervals as 
a guidance to the plantation. 

And the plantation was in the midst of stumps, yet 
black from the burning ; and the house was composed 
of logs piled together, and roofed with the branches of 
trees interwoven ; and the fire was in the midst, and 
the smoke issued from an aperture under the southern 
end of the ridge-pole. 

And the forester had gone abroad in search of wild 
berries and ground nuts, for as yet the maize was not in 
the milk, and the potatoe was in blossom. 

And while we rested, we entered into conversation 
with the good woman, and learned the story of her poor 
but contented life. 

And she inquired of our journeying, and whence we 
came ; and when she learned that we lived at the dis- 
tance of five days' journeying, even on the shores of the 
great ocean, she was moved with compassion, and offer- 
ed unto us hospitality and succor, and wondered that we 
could live so far out of the world ; for she considered 
her cottage, as placed in the middle of that part of the 
habitable world that was designed for the subsistence and 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 157 

accommodation of man and of domestic animals, and that 
we lived almost beyond its margin. 

So, turning the heads of our steeds eastward, we de- 
parted, and passed over the ground, and stood where the 
waters of the two great rivers, Connecticut and Merri- 
mack murmur to each other, but never meet, but pass 
diverse one to the right and one to the left, like two mis- 
sionary brides who mingle their departing sight as they 
shed tender tears on leaving their beloved country, and 
sail one towards the rising, and the other towards the 
setting sun, never more to mingle their devotions on the 
soil that gave them birth. 

And it is reported that the moon once a month resteth 
on this spot and refresheth herself with the water of two 
hemispheres, as Bainbridge on the passage of Leander re- 
freshed his hands in the contiguous waters of the four 
quarters of the world. 

And the sweet Poet of these mountains avoucheth for 
the intercourse of Endymion Bunker with the man in the 
moon, while his mistress is thus performing her lustra- 
tions in the serene and tranquil noon of night. 

And we departed and coursed along the banks of the 
river Merrimack. 

And leaving Bradford, we came to a spot called Dal- 
ton's Hill. 

And it afforded so varied and beautiful a prospect of 
the river — the lofty, smooth, and cultivated hills — the deep 
stretching valleys — the fertile plains — the luxuriant or- 
chards, and the clumps of dark woods vocal with lowing 
herds and bleating flocks, interspersed with neat farm- 
houses and barns, and animated by blooming and healthy 
children, and youth, and reverend age, that we thought 
that in this Arcadia there could be no vain presumption, 
14 



158 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

or curious inquisition, or bigotted assertion of superi- 
ority ! 

And though it was on the road that leadeth from New- 
bury, it was unvisited by, and unknown to the Tourists 
who seek after curious landscapes with abrupt precipices 
and broken caverns and all zig-zag unevennesses of pic- 
turesque infertility ; nay, it was as a foreign country to 
the house-loving Newburyites themselves, for they trod 
not down the grass of their own public walks, nor vexed 
the rural air by their morning and evening excursions ; — 
content with the little variety their own mart of trade 
could display ; with nerves too obtuse to expand and 
thrill, rejoice in the animating gales that wafted pleasure 
and health ;— unconscious of that invisible spirit which 
diffuseth a moistened and mellow glow over the complex- 
ion of beauty ; which imparteth elasticity to the limbs of 
age, and giveth a masculine freedom to the chest and 
movements of vigorous manhood, kindling the dormant 
sparks of beneficence and sensibility in decrepitude it- 
self. 

But while we rested at the little Inn of the two doves, 
we heard some men disputing in the bar-room with ele- 
vated voices. 

And we attended to them and found that they were en- 
deavouring to determine upon the centre of the Earth ; 
and after much animated debate they agreed that the cen- 
tre of the Earth was at Grasshopper Parish ! 

And when we were returning and had passed the 
breast-work which Washington made upon Winter Hill, 
and had gotten within the sight of our beloved city, and 
saw the clouds of smoke rise from its graving-yards, and. 
from its glass-house, and from the furnaces of the distil- 
lers, of its care-dispelling cordials, and from its manufac- 
tories, and beheld the towering dome of the State-House, 



EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 159 

and the towers and steeples of the Churches, and the lit- 
tle pavillioiis on the hills, and the flags waving from the 
tall masts of the man of war, and the merchant ships ; 
and the chimnies, like friar's hood, and like sugar loaves, 
and at length the undefined mass of innumerable houses, 
and finally heard the ring of Christ's Church Bells, and 
the clinking of the shoes of our horses over the stone 
pavement, we were so overpowered by the pleasing sen- 
sations, that all other places seemed to lose whatever 
they before had of excellence, and to be unworthy of re- 
gard ; and our judgment was almost swayed to pronounce 
our own city exclusively the very head and fountain of all 
that was good, and beautiful, and magnificent. 

Yet after we had received the congratulations of our 
friends, and finished the courteous greetings of our curi- 
ous acquaintances, we began to feel u. lassitude, and a 
want of subjects in the city to excite us to observation. 

For the slight traces and faint shadows of objects, and 
scenes that had occupied our perceptions during our ex- 
cursions, now arose in our meditative minds adorned with 
all their original charms of novelty, making such pleasing 
pictures as to make all the show, and bustle, and pomp 
of the city distasteful. 

Yet we forbore to publish a book, since we felt that we 
had not the power of conveying in " apt and gracious 
terms" our views so as to make other men's minds the 
mirror of our own, but we reported our discoveries and 
information in plain words to the Advocate, and the Ad- 
vocate embellishing and enlarging the same to the people, 
they were mortified ! 

But the Advocate consoled them by remarking, that 
every city was a little world within itself; that every sec- 
ond place had the ambition of being thought the first in 
some particulars, and that neither the simplicity of the 



160 EXCURSION TO WINNIPISEOGEE. 

good woman in the forest, nor the ignorant prejudices of 
the people at the bar-room, nor the vanity of the Salem- 
ites, nor the exalted pretensions of the Andoverians, 
though undoubtedly at the centre of gravity, ought to dis- 
turb the orthodoxy of our own opinions. 



APPENDIX 

A. 



In laying out a Turnpike from Boston to Andover, the 
Commissioners designed to remove a large and venera- 
ble tree, which stood in the centre of a very extensive 
tract, from which four roads diverged in different direc- 
tions. To deprecate the removal of so picturesque and 
so useful an object, the following lines were addressed to 
the men employed. 

THE ANDOVER ELM. 

Not that it took ten years, to form 
This clement shelter from the storm ; 

Or gave one picture to the arts ; 
Or taught the sculptor how to trace 
The lineaments of rural grace. 

Enrapturing to all happy hearts : 

While from the parent-trunk, sprung out. 
And spread their ancient sire about, 

Of infant shoots, a shady host, 
Theil: home — their bosom's home to hedge, 
Of filial piety the pledge. 

While to the circle's verge they post : 

Order, variety, and strength. 
In symmetry of breadth and length, 
Forming a whole, each single part, 
14* 



162 Appendix A. 

Yet, in one greater whole combined, 

Beyond the reach of mortal mind — 

Beyond the picturesque of art — 

Not that beneath its rustic bark, 
Remain the fair distinctive mark 

Of age on ages long gone by — 
Of sires, the green and lasting page, 
Memorial of a sainted age. 

Beneath its virgin soil who lie ; 

Who, with a spare devoted band, 
Redeemed from savage men the land — 

Laid the foundation, whence arose. 
Though storms assailed and tempests beat. 
Determined Freedom's last retreat, 

Yow sacred Temples of repose : 

Would we invoke your arm to spare 
This Tree, high branching in the air, 

Castincr a coolincj shade around, 
Where many a bird has built her nest, 
And many a rover east or west, 

A sacred resting station found. 

Whether from Afric's sultry clime, 
Or Cuba's grove of scented lime. 

Or from the Ganges' holy tide. 
Or from the golden isles that gem 
Th' Atlantic, and the Iceberg's stem, 

Which rush the southern seas to hide. 

Their annual visits here who wing, 
Spontaneous with the warming spring. 

On tepid gales that sweep the sea — 
Who, for us, hail in warbling strains, 
Ou7' native home delighted plains. 

And their remembered cradle-tree — 



Appendix A. 163 

But that beneath its clement boughs, 
The ox a moment steals to browse, 

Regardless of his galling chain — 
That shepherd boys a moment grant, 
Within its shade, the flocks to pant, 

Short breathing, midst their weary pain. 

One draught for half extinguished life. 
Snatching with eager, bitter strife, 

Amid a land with sweet that flows ; 
As though in mockery to tell. 
How men ungratefully repel 

The good which God for all bestows. 

That children, indolently gay. 
Immersed in all the joys of play, 

Escape the tyrant teaching rod, — 
That female helplessness and woe. 
From Church who, laboring heaven-ward, go, 

Here find and ampler house of God. 

That pilgrims, with fatigue oppressed, 
Here find a transient seat of rest. 

And breathe of gratitude the prayer. 
That nature, while she decked the land, 
Had bid these shading limbs expand, 

With a benignant mother's care. 

His solitary lyre, not strung. 
Since mountain scenery among. 

That here, the minstrel of Savoy, 
Once more may touch the notes of pleasure. 
Burst into wild, transporting measure — 

A new and transitory joy : 

That while the sun with radiance glows, 



164 Appendix A. 

Here meditative minds repose, 

The young with sportive wit and glee, 
The old with wise experienced saws, 
Prudent in council, grave in laws, 

Commix beneath the union Tree. 

That we, with troubles unperplexed, 

For meditation find the text, I 

Of novel or poetic tale, | 

And in narration round us brin^j i 

The Idlers in a courteous ring, ] 

Without alloy of wit or Ale ! 

Then pause, ere falls the galling axe ; , 

Not half, not all, your Turnpike tax, 

Your all commanding power — 
Can build in years, a shade so kind. 
As nature raised for poor mankind 

In her creating hour. : 



ADVENTURE OF THE TWO IPSWICH DOGS. 

p. 49. 

At Ipswich, just about the county bridge. 
Where the small river threads a stony ridge, 
And where, alas ! sweet maidens, in despair. 
Oft sacrifice a favorite lock of hair. 
Believing in the ancient wizzard spell. 
To turn each ringlet to a pearly shell, 
W^hose magic touch, with ciphers covered o'er, 
Will work a miracle, and Love restore : 
Two dogs — to Farley's tan-yard one attached — 
To Story's mill the other — nearly matched 
In size, in strength, in speed — and with a brain 
Ingenious, sensitive, and somewhat vain 



Appendix A. 165 

Of a poetic talent ; loud and oft 
Tofjether, when the moon was in the loft 
Of heaven's clear azure, like Thessalian hounds, 
Made the hills echo with Pindaric sounds, 
In musical distraction, till they came 
Softer, like hunters chiding mountain game. 
Congenial spirits in near contact brought. 
By curious instinct feel each other's thought ; 
Like lovers, who with sympathetic twine, 
Thoughts and the feelings of the heart divine ; 
Invisible the wheels on which they roll 
The noiseless meshes knitting, soul to soul. 
The banks were high, the river ran between ; 
Their friendship, by the prying world unseen ; 
Wise politicians, severed by consent, 
From nods and looks deciphering what was meant. 
Sometimes on holy-days abroad they meet. 
Or on the bridge, or in some narrow street. 
Then homeward hie, and sitting on the haunch, 
Be musing innocently, as down launch 
The chips, and withered leaves, and tufts of grass, 
To ocean's deep eternity which pass ; 
Demurely, without moving tail or paws, 
Weighing with deep intent effect and cause, 
Reasoning conclusively on what they scent, 
Then wag their happy heads, and smile content ; 
Not gravity itself assumes to wear 
A more imposing, self-complacent air, 
When having paid the fine for every sin, 
And pardoned for the past, might now begin 
A new account, and running up a score, 
Might bankrupt turn, and be discharged once more, 
Or let some charitable deed suffice. 
To veil, or to retrieve a life of lies. 



166 Appendix A. 

Alas ! should heaven demand each mortal pledge, 
Man could not hold a single foot of sedge ! 
In law or equity, he dare not plead — 
Behold on record, the uncancelled deed ! 

Two curs more popular were not in town ; 
Their sweet demeanor brought them great renown, 
No gentleman was ever half so trigg ; 
No lady courted time so long to rig; 
No orator such pains unwearied took. 
His steps to measure, or to prim his look ; 
With hopes exterior, sedulous to win 
From thoughts voluptuous, and from acts of sin ! 
Dress, and address, what mighty power they show ! 
They more than reason, — rule the world below ! 
So sleek their ribs, so shining black their feet, 
With cloth of gold you might have lined the street. 
And then unsoiled distributed in shreds 
For soldiers' badges, and for courtiers' beds. 
No man would think within such glossy hides, 
A speculative intellect abides ; 
For deepest thinkers, made of steady stuff, 
Allow no varnish-polish to their rough ; 
And prone are men by outward signs to trace 
Th' interior labyrinths of native grace; 
And deem, where beauty is possessed, a heart 
Of gentle nature dwells, devoid of art! 
And yet these dogs with spirit were endued. 
No engineering genius was more shrewd ; 
Instinct with Algebra, they measured Mars, 
And squared with ease the circle of the stars ! 
The minutes cast, each journey to commence, 
And what projectile force required the fence. 
Not more in war the mighty Buonaparte, 
Weighed all the subterfuges of his art ; 



Appendix A. 167 

Formed all his plans to plunder or defeat, 
Save disobedient winter howled — retreat — 
Than they — but beasts, like men, a chief select, 
Obey his call, his wise decrees respect. 
Whate'er he plans, if he directs the course, 
Faith in his judgment gives their courage force. 

One of these dogs was through the village known, 
To courteous fawning singularly prone ; 
With skill intuitive, or tact refined, 
To feel and strike the chieftain's cord of mind. 
Not even the great magician at the chain, 
So were controlled each vibratory brain. 
Him, urchin boys would ride, but never pelt. 
Seemed in his mouth that butter would not melt. 
And yet distinguished by peculiar traits, 
An eye which keenly scrutinized his mates, 
Curious, yet cautious, prying and yet sly, 
Knew all that passed, yet never seemed to pry. * 
'Twas known this dog had a peculiar mark, 
Which, like a glow-worm, glittered in the dark, 
As oft, so ancient fables fondly say. 
Round genius' infant head was seen to play 
A lambent glory — so, his ears between 
A play of lunar beams was often seen ; 
And when th' aurora borealis lit the sky. 
Sparks like electric stars would skip and fly. 
Like showers of fiery scales beside the bed 
In healthful wintry nights which flannels shed. 

Whether this dog was of the Celtic race, 
Or drew his Thesian origin from Thrace, 
Or of that wild Castilian breed which slew 
The harmless priestesses of mild Peru 
Is yet uncertain — no heraldic scribe. 
Has traced the pedigree, or marked the tribe , 



168 Appendix A. 

Or borrowed to adorn a modern name, 
The gartered title of a wolfish dame ; 
For since nobility is sliding down, 
Swifter the course, as weightier the renown. 
A learned Phrenologist, who lectures read, 
And missed no chance to finger a new head, 
Said " 'twas an animal of little speed. 
And of th' Egyptian contemplative breed, 
Bohemian gypsies, chroniclers so write, 
Smuggled the stock into the Isle of Wight. 
The furrows o'er his eyes prognosticate 
A metaphysical, or a reasoning pate ; 
The mild, and gentle curved retiring nose, 
The seat of complaisance and sweet lepose ; 
The soft, indented temples, must imply 
A love of geometric symmetry ; 
But these discordant lumps above the jaws. 
Denote a latent hatred of all laws ; 
And lo ! this belted suture, broad and thick, 
' Marks wit, inventive, curious, sly, and quick 
This slight protuberance behind the ear, 
A power peculiar to an engineer. 
Retentive, calculating, and exact. 
Fitting a head remarkably compact ; 
But then those lips so mincing, and so thin. 
Denote a slender intellect within. 
Save when at times a lady passes by, 
They swell with moisture, and emit a sigh. 
Which show a sentimental turn at least, 
Not common to an unromantic breast, 
Who never from the fashionable novel took 
The tone of sighing, or the cast of look." 

The younger dog, submissively believed, 



Appendix A. 169 

All that his more decisive friend conceived ; 
So bold, determined counsellors impose, 
And lead whole Senates often by the nose ! 
After discussing broadly, 'twas agreed 
To make a nightly hunting o'er the mead ; 
And full of stirring metal for the chase, 
To choose an ample, but a secret place ; 
The time, when weary of the toils of day. 
In Town, the soldiers slept the night away. 
Far from the Town, remote from war's alarms, 
A tract extends of richly cultured farms; 
From winds defended by a screen of hills, 
Secured from drought by thousand gurgling rills ; 
From one high rock, a grey and lofty ledge, 
A fountain's spray foams sparkling o'er the edge. 
Between two banks ; then gently murmuring glides, 
And forms a mimic ocean without tides ; 
With laughing life the sportive banks are seen 
To wither last, and first in vernal green ; 
Of tillage, easy to the single plough, 
With meads whose grass o'erloads the spacious mow ; 
The sea in shells supplies a rich manure, 
Whose nurturing virtues twenty years endur6 ; 
Not far beyond, a range of hills commence. 
Whose black thick forests form a pierceless fence ; 
There feed this flocks by day, but every night, 
A fold receives them in the owner's sight. 
There to the charge of youthful shepherds fall, 
With scores of oxen fattening at the stall. 
Should chance or pleasure their return delay, 
The flocks all linger where they fed by day ; 
Woman alone from tasks forbid to roam. 
Old men and children, vegetate at home ; 
Thus when carousing at the public Inn 
15 



170 Appendix A. 

Midst toasts and revels, and incessant din ; 
Where the sweet drops of oratory hill 
Each prurient, pulpous, and encoring skull, 
Should deadly sleep come hovering o'er their eyes, 
Were it a crime, if shepherds could not rise ? 

Soon as the night her sable cloud had sp*read , 
The watchful dogs, with soft and silent tread 
»Began their march ; in single file they pass, 
Nor once saluted till the tedded grass 
Sank softly under feet — th' elastic air 
Seemed to give pinions to the loving pair ; 
They leaped exulting on the downy flock ; 
So the sly Greeks the sleeping Trojans shock ; 
From this to that they sprang, nor ceased to slay. 
Till gleamed the streaks of thief-exposing day. 
Of vulgar sheep, 'twere vain to number all. 
Fame's trumpet only sounds when chieftains fall ! 
Of rich merinos, ten at least were slain. 
The dark fat bleaters of the flocks of Spain, 
Each worth ten golden eagles — brought to Greece, 
When plundering Jason stole the golden fleece, 
Of Colchian race, a progeny as rare. 
Except in Spain, as Norway's gristly bear ! 
Exclusive breed ; with shaggy wool as fine, 
Soft, and tenacious, as the spider's line. 
At vast expense, through secret roads, by stealth, 
When France unburthened Spain of cumbrous wealth, 
A yankee captain, never at a loss 
To strike a bargain, or a knave to cross — 
A yankee captain, safe conveyed o'er seas. 
And gave his Sire, the hence diffusive fleece ! 

When now the dawn gave warning of the day. 



Appendix A. 171 

Towards home they- turned, but in a different way : 

Far north and west deserted tracts they took, 

And broke their trail, with many a brawling brook, 

In Indian file, alert, and shy, and mute, 

All various arts assumed to shun pursuit ; 

Then with an ample compass far and wide, 

From 6very house, they skulked the wall beside, 

And reached the river, half a mile beyond 

The wild duck meadow, and the beaver pond ; 

Creeping along, they gained their wonted seat 

Ere the first cocks the rays of morning greet. 

While in deep sleep, abroad the young men lay. 

Morn, rosy morn, brought on the gladsome day. 

Men, women, girls, the ancient, young, and fair, 

Throw ope the doors, commence their daily care; 

To milking some, and some to yoke the plough. 

Some tend the swine, and some ascend the mow: 

Some o'er the rustic style alertly vault. 

To count the sheep and bear the sacred salt ; 

The harmless sheep, alas ! will bleat no more — 

Red was the field with rivulets of gore ! 

A cry was raised — the cry became a screech, 

Scarcely resembling any human speech. 

Struck with the sound, th' expecting people stood 

To catch the roaring of the flaming wood. 

Or hear of worse disaster — one returned. 

No forest kindles, and no wood has burned : 

But O ! the sheep ! some murderous bears by night 

Wreaked on the unguarded flock their raving spite : 

A Bear, a Bear, becomes the instant cry ; 

To rouse the town the children divers fly. 

Old men and women rush — some seize the scythes, 

That on the trees hung slanting to the skies; 

Spits, pans, and stakes, and every thing of strength, 



172 Appendix A. 

Some short, some broad, some of prodigious length : 
Not the first army ranged on Cambridge plain, 
Showed arms more diverse, or a wilder train. 
All leap the fences, on the field encroach, 
Hush to assault, yet cautious to approach. 

There stood a copse, a hundred perch a-head, 
Where scarce was known a woodman's foot to tread. 
Some superstitious notion, once impressed, 
In passing by, would start within the breast; 
Even holy priests, who preach against the fear, 
Would feel a sudden tingling of the ear, 
And veteran men, in camps whose lives were spent, 
Quickened their pace, and whistled as they went. 
But past the edge,'none ever dared proceed. 
It was to most, a fearful place indeed ! 
For 'twas received for truth, here Satan hid, 
When from the rock before the church he slid, 
And left th' impression of his foot — a strong 
Memorial that the lands to him belong. 
For by the sacred laws of nations, he 
Who first possesses, has the legal fee ! 
A doctrine state expediency suspends ; 
When interest enters, equal justice ends ; 
Or where the speculating nullifier stands, 
Capidious of the Cherokean Lands ! 
But now, surrounded by the raging crowd, 
'' Enter and hunt the Bear," was cried aloud : 
*' The bear, the bear — courageous hunters spring, 
While round the copse, we women form a ring, 
Strike with what arms you have, and lame at least, 
Till some more fatal weapon kill the beast." 

Vain was the search — at length an elder came ; 



Appendix A. 178 

Slow on his crutch he dragged a feeble frame ; 
Wise from experience, and in instinct read, 
" Waste no more time in seach of bears," he said. 
"Look round the field — the evidence is plain. 
These sheep from wantonness, not need, were slain, 
For hungry bears too precious is the hour ; 
They kill for food, and what they kill, devour ; 
'Twas done by dogs, or some of puppy race, 
** Who kill for pastime, to their sires' disgrace." 

First through the town untraced the rumor flew; 
Then came th' express, and made the rumor true. 
Then rose suspicion, pointing with her thumb. 
At the pale paupers who exist on rum ; 
Then envy, starting from her green-eyed cell, 
Let fall her hints that cankered as they fell, 
On lively youth, an ever sportive race, 
Who loved the sprightly dance and active chace, 
And sometimes indiscreetly overleap 
A neighbor's fence, at which they blush and weep. 
Already had the ferment grown to strife. 
And discord from the grind-stone snatched her knife. 
Already had the guards who slept too late. 
Cursed the militia musters of the state. 
And leaping from the windows, raised a dust 
Along the distant road of their deserted trust. 
When on his heavy-footed steed, it chanced. 
The Doctor with his saddle-bags advanced, 
His nightly visitations having led 
Him o'er the hills, even to the ocean's head. 
And stopping in the midst, and wondering why 
So great a crowd, and wherefore such a cry. 
Heard the disastrous tale — and quick to catch 
At causes, ere they into action hatch ; 
15* 



174 Appendix A. 

(Such are the leaps of genius, that they come 

Untraced between the finger and the thumb;) 

The privilege of genius is, to strike 

Out likenesses from substances unlike. 

He recollected, from the green-hill top, 

He saw two dogs into the meadow drop. 

But 'twas a glance alone — he could not say — 

'Twas when he turned to view the break of day. 

To guard from future ills, 'twere well to trace 

If any town-dogs had been out in chace — 

A sudden thought electrified the crowd, 

" The bridge dogs," shout the people, long and loud. 

And towards the bridge all rushed — but 'twas too 

late — 
Dogs have a wise presentiment of fate. 
So great men, when their interests decline, 
Surmise defeat, and modestly resign. 
For now, beholding what a great array 
Of men and boys were gathering on their way, 
They shook and quaked ; for guilt will always quail. 
Men drop their eyes, and dogs submerge the tail ; 
They thought, although no evidence appears. 
Betraying stains might hang around their ears; 
So skulking on the river's margin, fled 
Full thirty miles, before they ceased to dread, 
And took new quarters ; hence the certain fact, 
These dogs by science had performed the act. 
Such acts performed on some defenceless town, 
To martial heroes bring a great renown ; 
And who desires a marshal's staff to gain, 
Has only to recount the children slain. 
Why then, when heroes' souls in dogs are placed, 
For the like action, should they be disgraced ? 

M.S. 



Appendix B. 175 

1 
THE TAVERN DOCTOR. 

P A G E 58. V 

What have we here ? — A Doctor, by the sign, 

A master of an art once deemed divine ! 

No pupil, sure, of Esculapius' school, 

To cure by science, and to kill by rule ; 

Him nature teaches ; well he knows to trace 

The sister-symptoms in each varied case ; 

Be but one colored thread of fever shown, 

By instinct, all anomalies are known. 

The great specific waits on each disease, 

First weak, though copious draughts of catmint teas. 

If the ear tingle, if the nose be red, 

Where others blistered, embrocated, bled, 

Emolient melilot allays the smart ; 

Balm cools the liver, sooths the throbbing heart. 

Do pains infest the regions of the spleen ? 

Bind a black snake's skin warm, the ribs between. 

If melancholy humours most abound, 

The dreams distractive, and the sleep unsound, 

And Hypochondriac megrims start and twitch, 

Black spirits rise, and temptingly bewitch, 

Ten drops of poppy nectar, freshly pressed, 

Will lay the peccant agitants at rest. 

More serious evils if you apprehend, 

Your brain still wander, and your eyes distend. 

Especially if round their orbits spread 

A streak of yellow, or a tinge of red. 

From barberry-bushes scrape the orange bark — 

Observe the time of scraping — ^just at dark, 

Or ere the dews exhale — mistake in this. 

And planetary influence you miss. 

In a brass basin, bruised, and on it pour 



176 Appendix A. 

A pint, not more, of June's salubrious shower ; 
This, taken in the morning, noon and night, 
Will set the humours circulating riorht. 
And in seven days, at farthest, all is well. 
But faith, full faith, is requisite to save 
A melancholy patient from the grave ; 
He must believe, although his sense resist. 
Conscience must sleep, and reason be dismissed ; 
How can he know what is or good, or vile ? 
Are not his optics prejudiced with bile ? 
Through such a medium, Newton's eyes had ne'er 
Traced out the orbit of the lunar sphere ; 
Belief is half the cure — to doubt, obstructs 
The free secretion of the spongy ducts — 
Inquiry — keep th' inquiring spirit still ; 
Rebellion springs from freedom of the will. 
Not ten black cat-skins, skilfully applied 
Across the bosom, or along the side, 
Or seventeen leeches, ever can restore 
The valve elastic of one breathing pore. 
If the sick patient hesitate an hour, 
About the Doctor's medicative power. 
Yet after thirty years' experience, he 
Found no specific equal fresh Balm Tea. 
He never practised what might sometimes harm ; 
And what more innocent tiiat sprigs of Balm ? — 
Balm was the sovereign plant in David's reign ; 
Balm eased the Queen of Sheba's love-sick pain ; 
King Solomon the wise, who knew all arts, 
Pronounced it " cordial for all breakinor hearts." 
Judah's fair daughters, than whom none were found 
In form more lovely, and in heart more sound, 
Sipped it each morning, and from thence a skin, 
As gauze translucent, rosy, fresh, and thin, 



Appendix A. 177 

Veiled, as a painter veils in clare-obscure, 

Charms, though voluptuous, yet as infant's pure ! 

Pure emanations of a soul divine, 

Where unobscured the stars of mercy shine, 

Whence many a sweet Rebecca, wrapped in prayer, 

Breathes the soft accents, soothing of despair ; 

Whence on the dying couch the beamy ray 

Of Hope celestial whispers, living day ! 

Popes, reigning by authority divine, 

In conclave called it a celestial wine ; 

And John and Martin, apt to wince and wink, 

Tempered their humours with the nectar drink, 

And found a scruple vanish at each sip, 

As party maxims o'er a mug of flip. 

When at elections, all obstructions fail, 

Before the deluge of Jamaica'd ale ! 

Nay Balm, than Soda-water drank at night, 

Woo's sleep more sweet, and dreams of more delight 

Better than cans of dandelion tea, 

Better than hyson, or low-priced bohea, 

Better than holy johnswort laced with gin. 

Better than Turkish mead, or Metheglin, 

To quench the embrio passions, and assuage 

Ambition's thirst, and controversy's rage, 

Save where the love of gold is close allied 

With bloated, self-sufficient, impious pride; 

Though both repellant, artfully combined 

To seize and spurn the weakness of mankind. 

Pride, that in every age, and in all states, 

The heart contracts, the head intoxicates, 

From opposition that still harder grows. 

Like iron underneath the hammer^s blows. 

From its own entrails that subsistence draws, 

At once the end of living and its cause. 



178 Appendix B. 

Unquelled remains— unamiably aloof, 
A granite fortress, cold and powder proof! 
Fashion in medicine, as in female dress. 
Oft springs from some material's great excess. 
The wily sempstress, eloquent of tongue, 
Installs some cap her costomers among. 
And lo ! the patterns double — fortunes waste. 
And ten triumphant days — how swims the Taste ! 
Not so with balm — the good old Leech of Coos, 
Prescribed it then, as now does modern Morse. 
'Tis like the Quaker garment, simply neat, 
Changeless, becoming, graceful and complete ! 
Well had the Doctor learned to probe man's mind ; 
Men thought him skilful ; women found him kind. 
Such condescension ! — in a Leech how rare ! 
Despotic Doctors, no dissentient bear ! 

Save Quaker L of whose sweetened cup, 

The rich may drink — the poor may bitter sup. 

To men, as wiser, harder terms were used ; 

Women, as softer, gentler words amused. 

And who so good to hear each fond complaint ? 

Pains of the vile, and languors of the faint? 

Whole hours to listen to an old wife's tale, 

From horrid dreams who predicates her ail ? 

Her corns predicted some disaster nigh. 

And then, the unusual twinkling of her eye, 

A sure, portentous warning, to beware 

Lest she come tumbling from the old gray mare, 

Yet heedless of the warning, on she rode. 

Till Dobbin started by the teamsters goad, 

Leaped from the bridge, and plunged her head and heels 

Deep to the bottom, midst the hissing eels. 

Hence daily palpitations, trembling limbs, 

Before her eyes a dreadful vision swims ; 



Appendix B. 179 

Around her heart the cold eels seem to curl; 
Her head grows dizzy, and her senses whirl. 
Thus patient, listening, sits the Doctor down. 
Sips his brown mug, and pockets half a crown ! 
Save here and there, oracular of lip, 
Opinions bubble 'twixt each pause and sip. 
With patient ear he heard the tedious preach ; 
In words appropriate flowed his comely speech : 
" All is uncertain in this vale of tears ; " 
All science changes with revolving years, 
Save in old Rome, th' eternal city, where 
The holy Pontiffs fill St. Peter's chair. 
Who still, in spite of Galileo, hold 
Diurnal Suns around this earth are rolled ; 
That demonstration with tradition jars, 
And earth is central midst the host of stars — 
Who new reversing heresies declare. 
Would topsy-turvey turn the Pontiff-chair. 

From venial errors, trifling evils come 

Of revolution Who can count the sum 

How much of war, ambition, lust and hate, 
Is charged on patriots who reform the State, 
But whose reform boorins an a^e too late. — 
The Jew's religion failed to hold its ground, 
When a less cumbrous liturgy was found. 
Rome, that once governed every christian State, 
Shorn of her locks, resigned herself to fate ; 
And when her Martin Luther dared rebel, 
Drew her reluctant horns within her shell. 
The Hierarch's splendor, once so dazzling bright. 
Grew dim before the Presbyterian light ; 
What Calvin held in one age, sacred text, 
Was deemed heretical and weak the next. 
Opinions hard as adamant give way ; 



180 Appendix B. 

Even new opinions live but half a day. 

Who knows, but what is now believed revealed, 

May yield, when truth's unerring book's unsealed ? 

Yet for our use we need not further look ; 

Sufficient what is clear in nature's book. 

Why need we take the whole machine apart 1 — 

The work of God — and substitute our art ? 

Like children, who the tinkling watch despatch, 

In hopes the spirit-musical to catch ? — 

Things that are made by God, are perfect made ;. 

Cut down the tree, retires the grateful shade ; 

Yet what the shade protects, the sun too, cheers, 

Warmed are its dew-drops, like affection's tears. 

To form this world, four principles conspire. 

Earth, water, air, and all diffusive fire ; 

Sublimely simple, God Almighty's will, 

From few begins, and few his plans fulfil ; 

Atoms on atoms heaped, alike compose 

The hardest diamond and the softest rose ; 

With their own kind all particles delight. 

Pebbles, and globes, are formed as these unite ; 

Yet all commix in one dissolving fire. 

And mountains melt, and animals expire ; 

Ethereal ethers all things thus dissolve, 

Creation's Laws again the forms evolve ; 

The particles that form the rose to day, 

Dispersed, reblush in the succeeding May ; 

The ashy dust of yon gay temple frieze. 

Rises in plants or graceful forest trees. 

Thus on yon elm, adorned with fleecy snow, 

From the rude south, the tepid breezes blow ; 

From every leaf the gelid beauty shakes, 

And the ground whitens with the playful flakes ; 

From wondering children swift the snow-balls glide, 



i^PPENDIX B. 181 

in flowing rills, to time's relentless tide, 
Yes, a new winter comes, others they see, * 
The flakes dependant re-emboss the tree 
So soft or solid, all things hence combined, 
In man, the great receptacle of mind. 
Mixed principles give life, and life sustain, 
But disproportioned, tempest, death, or pain. 
If too much earth, then sluggishness prevails ; 
If too much water, slow, retarding ails ; 
If too much air, then hypochondriac throes, 
If too much fire, a raging fever glows ; 
Just equilibrium to the whole restore, 
Diseases cease, and tempests rage no more ; 
And all the aim of science, is to know 
Which to subtract, and which in time bestow : 
Abstract the lightning, ere the clouds can meet, 
In flames descendino; comes no vivid sheet. 
Yet skill, exhausted in th' attempt, departs. 
For mother Nature spurns officious arts. 
If elements are hostile in excess, 
She aims the raging tumult to repress. 
And in his skill though man may feel secure, 
'Tis nature's efforts that effect a cure. 
And have the learned a more successful guess. 
Than who more labors, and conjectures less ? 
Who makes a system, to that system points 
Each stubborn fact the system that disjoints. 
In physic, with all system leave the schools. 
Let observation track out nature's rules ; 
Nature's continual efforts are to gain 
That equilibrium once disturbed by pain ; 
To aid her efforts, means of gentle kind 
Must soothe and calm all nervousness of mind." 
Such fair accordance passed for matchless skill ; 
16 



182 Appendix B. 

For physic asked — he gave his brown bread pill. 

Compassion — what compassion filled his breast ; 

No hour to pleasure lost, nor scarce in rest. 

By night, by day, in weather fair or foul. 

When mewed no cat, and winked abroad no owl. 

From the warm precincts of a downy bed. 

When called, he rode to either sick, or dead. 

Want you more proof? — behold his wasted health. 

Exchanged for what? for consequence and wealth? 

For wealth, enchested for a thoughtless heir ? 

For consequence, to meet a vulgar stare ? — 

Wealth the main object — hence both heat and cold 

Dissolve before the magnet touch of gold. — 

And is not cash as innocently made 

By this, as by another's roving trade ? 

All, hazards run, where nothing is to lose; 

An even well-being necks the golden noose ; 

The gracious widow, her ricli master gone. 

To spendthrift boldness gives herself in pawn; 

The wealthy damsel, in romantic fit, 

Yokes to a tyrant profligate of wit ; 

In speculation many lives are spent ; 

The merchant wearies heaven for cent per cent ;• 

The pirate prowling stems the ocean's strife, 

For plunder, hazards a precarious life. 

And both look on for that propitious time. 

When wealth acquired abates the sense of crime, 

When ostentatious charities may bribe 

The world to pardon an obnoxious tribe ; 

Or flattering conscience with a tythe of gain, 

Though yet unquiet, mitigate her pain. 

From golden products, swollen to a plum. 

What cool reflecting aphorisms come! 

For hard experience all the past surveys, 



Appendix B. 183 

And wakes, though late, to conscientious ways, 
And many a prudent maxim strews to guide 
Adventurous youth on life's tumultuous tide. 

O come the day, when Science spreads her beam,, 
Free, as through every soil, the virgin stream, 
Q,uack mix no more the soul seducing drop, 
Nor death ensue with every limb they lop. 

Laws punish frauds that scarce affect the purse,. 
Yet pass unnoticed life's immediate curse. 

Is it less fraudful, nature in distress, 
When the fierce torture rages in excess ; 
When at the bed the child with anxious eye. 
Chills at each heaving breath and laboured sigh ;: 
When hopes and fears alternate, rise and sink, 
And life hangs hovering on oblivion's brink. 
When with full confidence the Leech's power 
Is felt to shorten, or protract the hour ; 
When too absorbed the bursting heart to flow, 
And icy anguish checks the gush of woe — 
Is it less fraudful to the weeping wife, 
To him who lingers on the verge of life, 
To those dear babes whose years can scarce discerii 
Why all this grief, and whence this deep concern, 
That men unskilled to note the pulse's throb, 
At large should range, and life by license rob 2 

Come then, O Science, mother of each art. 
Show to weak man where truth and error part ; 
Show him his nature, and how nicely joined,. 
His Frame corporeal and celestial mind ; 
How that impaired, the tenant glides unseen, 
A houseless wanderer from a dome so mean ; 
Show him the interior structure — how the brain,. 
Pressed by the stomach, throbs with raging paia;; 
How thence reacting o'er the vital core, 



184 Appendix B. 

Screws up the heart, and freezes every pore ; 
The breathing tubes in active function fail, 
Nor beat elastic to the heavenly gale ; 
Health's living tide, the blood's delightful speed, 
As rocks in rivers, cramps and aches impede, 
Teach him the structure of the fine machine, 
The screws how nice, the razor edge how keen ; 
Then, if he dare to hack, and wrench, and hew. 
Pain must succeed, and death itself ensue. 
Yet let him know that many a mortal ill 
Yields where the God imparts a nobler skill ; 
Good science gives the ways of God to trace. 
Yet in subservience to the human race. 
Life's purest current, each excess impedes, 
From tube to tube the deadening torpor speeds ; 
Health's living tide, the blood's delightful flow. 
The eye's gay sparkle, cheek's celestial glow. 
The free, the light, th' elastic spring of limb, 
The joyous bound, the graceful, dancing swim, 
All, all must cease — are Nature's laws suppressed. 
And food distend, and wines inflame the breast. 

s. a 



END. 






